Socialist House Candidate Arrested at Protest Against Netanyahu in New York

<p>Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist House candidate in New York, was arrested on September 24, 2026, while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York City during the United Nations General Assembly meeting, according to photos shared on social media by her campaign and public media reports.</p><p>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 ahead of Netanyahu's address at the event.</p><p>"Darializa was just arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations," a post from the candidate's social media account stated.</p><p>Avila Chevalier criticized U.S. government spending, saying, "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!"</p><p>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.</p><p>Avila 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," as reported by Bloomberg.</p><p>She 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. Additionally, actress Susan Sarandon was reported to be among those detained at the protest.</p><p>Reports indicated that roughly 80 to 100 protesters who refused orders and remained at the demonstration were arrested.</p><p>Avila Chevalier, 32, previously defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary for the heavily Democratic 13th District, which covers Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.</p><p>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier in late May, praising her commitment to working-class New Yorkers and expressing anticipation for collaborating on their shared affordability agenda.</p><p>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, leading anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and helping launch Columbia University Apartheid Divest's boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Avila Chevalier's campaign for additional information about the arrest but did not receive an immediate response. The NYPD directed Fox News Digital to its public information phone line but declined to provide additional information when contacted.</p>