By Michele Evans | September 25, 2026
NEW YORK — Oscar-winning actress and longtime political activist Susan Sarandon was among scores of demonstrators arrested Thursday during a protest near United Nations headquarters in Manhattan opposing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the U.N. General Assembly.
Sarandon was taken into custody Thursday, September 24, after joining demonstrators near East 39th Street and First Avenue, where protesters blocked traffic as part of demonstrations surrounding Netanyahu’s visit.
Reuters reported that police arrested at least 30 people, while Jewish Voice for Peace, one of the groups involved in the demonstration, put the number of arrests near the United Nations at approximately 100. NBC New York reported Friday that all of those taken into custody at that protest were later released.
Sarandon was photographed sitting among protesters before being escorted away by police officers.
The 79-year-old actress, whose decades-long career includes Thelma & Louise, Bull Durham and her Academy Award-winning performance in Dead Man Walking, has also maintained a highly visible presence in political and social-justice movements.
She was not the only prominent figure detained Thursday.
“Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder, actor Caleb Hearon, former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier were among those reported arrested or taken into custody during the demonstrations.
Actor Elliot Page was also spotted among protesters, according to NBC New York.
The protest coincided with Netanyahu’s appearance at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Demonstrators gathered in Manhattan to oppose Israel’s military actions and the Israeli prime minister’s visit to New York.
The demonstrations occurred amid the continuing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and broader regional conflict. Netanyahu and the Israeli government have rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide, maintaining that Israeli military operations target Hamas and other armed groups.
The streets surrounding the United Nations were under heightened security throughout the week, with road closures and a significant NYPD presence accompanying the annual General Assembly.
While most demonstrations surrounding Netanyahu’s visit remained peaceful, NBC New York reported that two men were arrested following a separate physical confrontation near East 47th Street.
For Sarandon, Thursday’s arrest adds another chapter to a long history of activism that has frequently placed the actress far beyond Hollywood’s red carpets and directly inside political demonstrations.
This time, cameras captured one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors seated in a Manhattan street with fellow protesters — and eventually being led away by police.
Sources: Reuters and NBC New York, reporting published September 24–25, 2026.
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