UN General Assembly Becomes a Stage for Protest in New York. The United Nations General Assembly is not only a gathering place for presidents, prime ministers and diplomats. Every September, it also becomes one of the most visible stages in the world for protesters trying to draw international attention to their causes.
This year was no different.
As world leaders gathered in Midtown Manhattan for the 81st U.N. General Assembly, demonstrators gathered in the streets around the United Nations with very different messages. Some protested President Donald Trump and U.S. foreign policy. Others — including members of the Iranian diaspora and supporters of the Iranian opposition — gathered to condemn the government in Tehran and demand political change in Iran. The NYPD had prepared for multiple demonstrations around the U.N., saying beforehand that First Amendment activity would be facilitated while violence, destruction of property and other unlawful conduct would not be tolerated.
Anti-Trump Protesters Block Second Avenue
One group of demonstrators protested Trump near the U.N., chanting “Trump is a war criminal” and blocking part of Second Avenue.
Videos from the scene showed police moving in and making arrests after protesters remained in the roadway. Because an official NYPD arrest count was not immediately available, the exact number of people detained was unclear.
The protest unfolded while Trump was in New York for the opening of the General Assembly’s high-level debate, where his speech addressed Iran, global security, artificial intelligence and other international issues.
Iranian Protesters Rally for a “Free Iran”
At another demonstration near the United Nations, large crowds gathered under the banner “Free Iran.”
Signs at the rally included messages such as “Regime Change by Iranians,” reflecting a very different political message from the anti-Trump demonstrations.
The rally was part of a weeklong campaign organized around the U.N. General Assembly by Iranian opposition supporters and members of the Iranian-American community. Organizers scheduled events from September 17 through September 23, focusing on executions, torture, political repression and opposition to Iran’s government. The main September 22 rally was held at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza at Second Avenue and 47th Street, timed to coincide with Trump’s address to the General Assembly. A second major rally was scheduled for September 23, when Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was expected to address the U.N.
Different Protesters, Different Targets
The demonstrations around the United Nations should not be viewed as one single protest movement.
Some protesters were directing their criticism at Trump and U.S. foreign policy. Others were protesting Iran’s government and calling for political change led by Iranians themselves.
The messages were sometimes politically opposite, but the strategy was similar: use the presence of the world’s media and political leaders in New York to attract attention that would be much harder to obtain on an ordinary day.
Why the U.N. becomes a magnet for demonstrations
Nearly 200 countries are represented during General Assembly week, while international media, diplomats and political leaders are concentrated within a few blocks of Midtown Manhattan. That makes the area around U.N. headquarters one of the most visible political spaces in the world for several days each year.
For activists, the timing offers something valuable: an audience.
A protest held outside the United Nations during an ordinary week may attract local attention. The same protest held while presidents and foreign ministers are arriving can be seen by international media and delegations from dozens of countries.
That was clearly part of the strategy behind the Iranian opposition campaign, which scheduled its largest demonstrations to coincide with major U.N. appearances.
Police intervention and arrests
The heavy security surrounding the General Assembly also means that demonstrations take place under unusually strict conditions.
The NYPD closed streets surrounding the U.N. complex, established security zones and warned before the General Assembly that officers would protect lawful protest while acting against violence, property destruction or interference with secured areas.
During the anti-Trump demonstration on Second Avenue, videos showed officers arresting protesters after the roadway was blocked.
The exact number of arrests had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
Diplomacy inside, protest outside
Inside the United Nations, presidents and diplomats delivered speeches about war, diplomacy and international security.
Outside, people who often have no access to those diplomatic rooms tried to make sure their own messages were heard.
Anti-Trump protesters, Iranian opposition supporters and other groups may have represented very different political causes, but they were using the same moment for the same basic purpose: to place their message in front of the world while the world was watching New York.
Sources: NYC Mayor’s Office, Associated Press, Reuters;
By NJ RADAR Team
[…] result was a striking contrast: Iran’s official representatives speaking inside the UN while people opposing their government made themselves heard just […]