Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon Detained at UN Protest in NYC
The actresses were among roughly 100 people taken into custody during a demonstration near the United Nations on September 24. The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace Action, called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. Cynthia Nixon and Caleb Hearon were also reportedly arrested.
The demonstration coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled appearance before the UN General Assembly, with protesters blocking First Avenue traffic. Organizers from Jewish Voice for Peace Action estimated roughly 100 participants were taken into custody, though police had not yet confirmed charges.
Einbinder, 31, told The Guardian beforehand that she felt compelled to participate "as a Jew, as an American, and as a human being." Sarandon, 79, has previously stated her political advocacy has cost her Hollywood roles. Both women have been outspoken about the Gaza conflict, with Einbinder referencing it during her Emmy acceptance speech.
The involvement of prominent entertainers in political demonstrations could broaden public engagement with the Gaza conflict and U.S. military policy, particularly among younger audiences who follow these figures. Celebrity participation may lend visibility to protest movements and normalize activism within the entertainment industry. However, it could also deepen cultural divisions, as public figures risk alienating segments of their fan base when taking political stances, potentially reshaping how audiences perceive both the celebrities and the causes they champion.