The NYPD is on high alert on the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
Members of New York’s Finest steeled themselves in Lower Manhattan on Monday for a day of protests marking the one-year anniversary of the bloody assault that spurred not only war in the Middle East but also incited protests across the city, as well as overt acts of antisemitism.
The Oct. 7 attacks, perpetrated by Hamas terrorists, left more than 1,200 people in Israel dead, and hundreds more taken hostage. Israel then went to war in Gaza to dismantle Hamas and rescue the hostages; the ongoing conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians caught in harm’s way amid a humanitarian crisis there, or used by Hamas as human shields.
Police brass said Monday that they were ready for more than 80 different events across the city — from memorial vigils to anti-war demonstrations. With tensions flaring as Middle East turmoil continues to grow, cops say they are deploying vast amounts of units in an effort to keep the somber commemoration safe.
“The world has changed overseas with wars,” Chief of Patrol John Chell said to a legion of officers mobilizing at Battery Park on Oct. 7, “but when you think about our universal approach as an agency in the city and federal government, we’re doing the same thing we do every day. We’re all hands on deck today to keep the peace for everybody.”
The officers set their radio channel frequencies and fastened zip-ties to their belts in preparation for any mass arrests required. While Chell charged that the NYPD respects the right to protest, he also warned that the department has zero tolerance for violence in the streets.
“Keep the peace, protect everyone’s First Amendment right. But the moment it crosses into violence, destruction of property, blocking traffic, lighting flares, graffiti — that’s where we draw the line. We’ll do everything we can to mitigate that,” Chell added.
Mayor Eric Adams also appeared to wish cops well on this emotional day. Police officials also noted they are watching for any potential terrorist activity in New York, though there is presently no evidence of any active threat.
“There is no credible threat. However, we are on heightened alert because we do know what happened on Oct. 7, and we are ready for anything that comes this department’s way,” Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said.
Protests are expected to take place will into the night.
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