Staff Reports
Emotions ran high in Manhattan as a group of fervent conservative protestors took to the streets to make their voices heard. Their target? United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ residence. The purpose? To demand action on behalf of Israeli hostages who are currently being held by Hamas. They accused the UN of turning a blind eye to terrorism, claiming that the organization’s inaction was effectively legitimizing the heinous acts committed by the terrorist group.
The gathering, predominantly composed of middle-aged Manhattan residents, kicked off with a peaceful demonstration in a local park before marching en masse to Guterres’ home. Upon arrival, the impassioned group brandished a large sign bearing the words “Free our hostages,” and held up printed pictures of the over 240 individuals who are currently missing after being abducted by Hamas during a recent incursion into southern Israel.
This demonstration, in stark contrast to recent acts of protest, was characterized by its peaceful nature. The group meticulously read aloud the names of each hostage, offered prayers and sang songs in their honor. In a poignant gesture, origami butterflies were tied to a tree outside Guterres’ residence, serving as a poignant and visual reminder of the hostages’ plight.
Emotional protesters line up outside UN chief’s NYC home, demand release of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas.
Emotional protesters gathered at the Manhattan home of the United Nations secretary-general Friday morning to demand action on behalf of Israeli hostages held by… pic.twitter.com/1IHWqsevxW
— Sal Gueli (@sal_gueli) November 10, 2023
The impassioned protestors recounted the heart-wrenching stories of the hostages, emphasizing the human faces behind the staggering statistics. One protestor spoke of a three-year-old girl, Abigail, who was torn from her parents after they were brutally murdered by Hamas, leaving the innocent child languishing in captivity. The group sought to convey the anguish and suffering of the hostages, laying bare the individual stories behind the numbers.
Their frustration with Guterres’ response to the crisis was palpable, with one protestor expressing disappointment regarding the Secretary-General’s handling of the situation. They urged Guterres to treat the Israeli hostage crisis as the paramount concern, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the matter.
The impassioned plea extended beyond the immediate demand for action, with protestors pointing to the deep-rooted trauma within the Jewish community, invoking the harrowing silence of the world during the Holocaust. The protest served as an impassioned testament to the steadfast commitment in ensuring that the hostages’ stories remain at the forefront of global consciousness, reiterating that every soul, regardless of age or background, deserves to be remembered and fought for.
Despite the unwavering display of conviction, it remained uncertain whether Guterres would directly address the Israeli hostage crisis. However, the protest affirmed the resolve of the conservative group to return every Friday, come rain or shine, until their demands for action and accountability are met.
