Several Arrested After Participating in Pro-Palestinian Protest – NBC10 Philadelphia

Several people were arrested Thursday evening while taking part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of city hall.

NBC10 cameras captured part of the protest where a large group of people could be seen carrying Palestinian flags while marching through the city center.

The large group of people were first seen blocking streets and walking near Ludlow and 18th Street.

Several people carried placards calling for a ceasefire as the protest appeared to have started peacefully.

At one point, some protesters reportedly threw smoke bombs.

The police and their bicycle unit were there to assist the officers in making arrests and controlling the crowd.

Our cameras then captured the moment as police arrested one person and another protester chased them wearing a Palestinian flag as a cape.

The person wearing the cape was then seen fighting with the officers while the other person fled.

One person was seen filming the incident as he was punched from behind by a police officer and nearly fell to the ground. Several officers then regrouped to confront the protesters who were nearby.

Many protesters were eventually arrested and escorted to police vans.

The Philadelphia Police Department had no information to share with NBC10 when contacted.