Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist candidate vying for a U.S. House seat in New York, was taken into custody on Thursday during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York City. The protest occurred concurrently with the United Nations General Assembly meeting, according to information shared by her campaign on social media and public reports.
Avila Chevalier, the Democratic Party nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was one of numerous individuals apprehended after demonstrators obstructed a street near the United Nations General Assembly session on Thursday, preceding Prime Minister Netanyahu's scheduled address.
A post from the candidate's official social media account on Thursday afternoon stated, "Darializa was just arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations." The statement continued, "Our government has unlimited funds to arm a genocide against Palestinians but tells us there's nothing left to feed and house our own people. Stop arming Israel!"
The demonstration where Avila Chevalier was reportedly arrested drew approximately 250 participants to the intersection of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan. Law enforcement initiated arrests after protesters, who were sitting in the street, declined to disperse.
Following her arrest, Avila Chevalier issued a statement defending her involvement. "Netanyahu belongs at the Hague, not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly," she was quoted as saying in a report by Bloomberg.
Prominent Figures Among Those Detained
Avila Chevalier was not the sole political figure from New York to be apprehended. City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were also arrested during the protest, as reported by City & State. Additionally, the Daily Mail indicated that actress Susan Sarandon was among those detained at the event.
Reports from various news outlets indicated that roughly 80 to 100 protesters who disregarded police orders and remained at the demonstration were subsequently arrested.
Congressional Candidate's Background
Avila Chevalier, 32, achieved a significant upset in the Democratic primary in June. She successfully unseated five-term incumbent Democratic Representative Adriano Espaillat in the highly Democratic 13th District, which encompasses Upper Manhattan and portions of the Bronx.
She is an active member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and received endorsement from the organization's New York City chapter during her congressional campaign.
