Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder arrested in New York following protest
Actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were among the roughly 100 demonstrators who were arrested by police in New York City on Thursday (24 September) during a protest against Benjamin Netanyahu.
As reported by the BBC, in a speech to the UN General Assembly, the Israeli Prime Minister defended his country’s military campaigns in Iran and Gaza, while dozens of delegates walked out in protest.
In response to those who left, he said: “If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left the hall, please do so now.”
Meanwhile, in the city, a number of protests were held against Netanyahu's visit, attended by celebrities including Oscar-winning actress Sarandon, 79, and Emmy-winning Hacks star Einbinder, 31, who were both arrested.
Photos from the protest show Sarandon being detained and escorted away by police, while wearing a T-shirt that says: “Fund people not bombs.” Meanwhile, Einbinder marched with a banner that said: “End the Genocide.”
The LA Times reports that Einbinder shouted: “Netanyahu out of New York!” as officers took her into custody.
A spokesperson for the NYPD told The Guardian that officers had responded to reports of an ‘unscheduled demonstration’ that saw people blocking an intersection.
The spokesperson told the outlet: “Members of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau issued … warnings, advising participants that they should leave.
“They continued to block the intersection. Multiple individuals who didn’t comply were taken into custody.”
It comes after Thelma & Louise actress Sarandon explained at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month that she’s lost film roles due to her support for Palestine.
She said that while she thinks ‘the narrative has completely changed in terms of the historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of zionists with America in our politics,’ people were still deciding not to hire her due to her views.
Replying to a question at the Film Festival about how her support for Palestine had impacted her career, she said: “In terms of the power structure, I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still.
“But that’s the power structure; I think within the people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.”
Sarandon was speaking for her latest film The Echo Chamber, which sees her play Ava, a singer-songwriter who enlists the help of a music producer with a history of drug addiction to work on her comeback album.
She thanked the film’s director, Andrea Pallaoro, for ‘not listening to the warnings’ from those who did not want her to work in the film industry.
Sarandon concluded: “I’ve found my family, I’ve found my people, and I’m OK.”
The Guardian reports that Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and NYC council member Chi Ossé were also among the known names who were arrested at the protest.
Actors Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, and Indya Moore, comedians Mary Beth Barone, Caleb Hearon, and Sarah Sherman, and musicians Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker were also reportedly spotted protesting.
Tyla has contacted representatives for Sarandon and Einbinder for comment.
Madison Burgess