Renowned artists Nan Goldin and Molly Crabapple were arrested during a pro-Palestine protest outside the New York Stock Exchange. The demonstration, organized in response to ongoing violence in Gaza, attracted dozens of activists calling for an end to U.S. financial and military support for Israel.
Goldin and Crabapple, both acclaimed for their activism as well as their art, joined other demonstrators who staged a sit-in, blocking access to the financial district. Protesters held signs calling for a ceasefire and expressed solidarity with Palestinian civilians affected by the escalating conflict.
“I’m proud to be arrested with them if it helps amplify our message,” activist-artist Nan Goldin, said. Goldin and Crabapple were reportedly released on Monday.
The protest, part of a larger movement gaining momentum across the U.S., highlighted the role of major corporations and financial institutions in supporting military actions in the Middle East. The New York Stock Exchange was chosen as a symbolic target due to its connections to these global financial systems.
Police arrested multiple individuals at the scene, including Goldin and Crabapple, for obstructing traffic and refusing to disperse after being ordered to do so. Videos of the protest, including the artists’ arrests, quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread debate and support from the art community and human rights activists.
Goldin, best known for her intimate portraits of marginalized communities, has a history of using her platform for social justice causes, including the opioid crisis. Crabapple, an artist and writer, is also an outspoken activist, previously known for her involvement in the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The demonstration comes amid a wave of global protests urging world leaders to take stronger actions to protect Palestinian civilians and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Authorities have yet to release a statement regarding the arrests.
