An NYC man was filmed in Columbus Circle ripping off posters asking for Israel-Palestine ceasefire.

Who is Keith Schiff?

Keith Schiff is an advisor at Other Street. He was filmed tearing down of anti-war posters and the hateful comments he made towards Muslim Americans.

Also Read: Where is Bisan, Palestinian journalist documenting life amidst war in Gaza?

On Friday night, Grand Central Station faced a temporary shutdown due to a substantial demonstration supporting Palestinians. The protestors, rallying against the Israel-Hamas war, had traversed the city, eventually converging on the station, where police locked the doors. Several individuals were taken into custody during the demonstration.

Concerns among NYPD sources were mounting, observing an escalating hostility linked to the conflict and the increasing frequency of rallies throughout the city. Demonstrators at Grand Central called for a cease-fire in Gaza, emphasizing the human toll of the conflict. To maintain order, police utilized barricades, while a counter-protester stood across the street waving an Israeli flag.

The NYPD acknowledged the strain on police resources from daily demonstrations, prompting a standby response of one supervisor and eight uniformed officers in each precinct. Recent incidents, including the spray-painting of the New York Times Building, underscored the escalating tensions. The NYPD heightened concerns about rising bias crimes, noting a 124% increase in bias incidents in October compared to the same period last year.

Also Read: Who was Matan Meir? ‘Fauda’ crew member killed fighting for Israel in Gaza

During the Friday night demonstration, around 9:30 p.m., some protestors staged a sit-in at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, refusing to comply with officers’ orders. Altercations between demonstrators and bystanders also occurred, resulting in several detentions for disorderly conduct. The NYPD encouraged the exercise of first amendment rights while prioritizing safety.