Mamdani-backed, socialist House nominee arrested at UN summit 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 during the United Nation’s General Assembly meeting, according to photos shared on social media by her campaign and public media reports.

Avila 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 Thursday ahead of Netanyahu’s address at the event.

“Darializa was just arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations,” a Thursday afternoon post from the candidate’s social media account said. 

“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!”

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The demonstration Avila Chevalier was reportedly arrested at drew around 250 protesters to the corner of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan, according to City & State New York. Police began making arrests after protesters sitting in the roadway refused to move.

Avila Chevalier defended her participation following the arrest.

“Netanyahu belongs at the Hague, not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly,” she said in a statement reported by Bloomberg.

Avila Chevalier was not the only New York political figure taken into custody. City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were also arrested during the demonstration, according to City & State, while the Daily Mail reported actress Susan Sarandon was among those detained at the protest. 

Outlets reported that roughly 80 to 100 protesters who refused orders and remained at the demonstration were arrested.

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Protesters in New York City outside the United Nations General Assembly rally against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sept. 24, 2026. (2026 Getty Images)

Avila Chevalier, 32, pulled off a major Democratic primary upset in June when she defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the heavily Democratic 13th District, which covers Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. 

Digital previously reported that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier in late May during an appearance on MS NOW, praising her commitment to working-class New Yorkers and saying he looked forward to fighting alongside her for their shared affordability agenda.

She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and received backing from the group’s New York City chapter during her congressional campaign. 

Avila Chevalier has been a prominent pro-Palestinian activist as well, with Digital previously reporting on how she led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and said she helped launch Columbia University Apartheid Divest’s (CUAD) boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign. CUAD later drew scrutiny for social media posts, including “Death to America” and a call for the “eradication of Western civilization.”

Congressional candidate Claire Valdez, congressional candidate Brad Lander, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier raise their hands during a Get Out the Vote rally at Kings Theatre June 18, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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