Socialist House Candidate Arrested at Anti-Netanyahu Protest in NYC

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist House candidate in New York, was arrested Thursday while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York City, according to her campaign and public reports. Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was among dozens of demonstrators taken into custody after protesters blocked a roadway near the United Nations General Assembly meeting, ahead of Netanyahu's address.

"Darializa was just arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations," read a post from the candidate's social media account. "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, which drew around 250 protesters, saw police begin making arrests after demonstrators sitting in the roadway refused to move. Chevalier defended her participation following the arrest, stating, "Netanyahu belongs at the Hague: not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly."

City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were also arrested during the demonstration, according to City & State. Actress Susan Sarandon was also reportedly among those detained.

Avila Chevalier, 32, defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the June primary for the 13th District, which covers Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had endorsed Avila Chevalier in late May, praising her commitment to working-class New Yorkers.

Avila Chevalier is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has been a prominent pro-Palestinian activist. Her past activism includes leading anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and helping launch the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest's (CUAD) boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign. CUAD previously faced scrutiny for social media posts that included "Death to America" and a call for the "eradication of Western civilization."

Fox News Digital reached out to Avila Chevalier's campaign for additional information about the arrest but did not immediately receive a response. The NYPD directed Fox News Digital to its public-information phone line but declined to provide further details when reached by phone.