Anti-Israel Protesters Sue NYPD, Leave Out Bomb Scare
Two women busted during a chaotic anti-Israel protest in Times Square — where cops were infamously blocked from reaching a grenade left in an Uber — are suing the NYPD, whining they were injured during their arrests.
Jasmeen Nijjar and Anees Hasnain filed separate lawsuits last week in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing officers of assault, unlawful search and seizure, false arrest and denial of medical care during the raucous March 2, 2024 'Millions March for Palestine' rally.
Hasnain, 33, a program director at a non-profit, claims she was punched in the face by an NYPD detective and cuffed while still wearing a backpack — which she says caused 'heavy pressure' on her wrists.
5 The March 2024 protest in Times Square led to dozens of arrests — including Anees Hasnain and Jasmeen Nijjar, who now allege NYPD officers used excessive force and denied them medical care during and after they were taken into custody.
Adam Gray for New York Post
An officer placed her phone in a plastic bag with 'pooled water,' destroying it, she claimed in court papers
Nijjar, 31, a course associate at Columbia University and a NYC-based social worker, was dragged by her scarf and jacket, punched in the back of the head and zip-tied so tightly that her left hand was injured, the filing states. Her LinkedIn profile now lists 'Free Palestine' in her title.
The filings make no mention of the explosive drama that drew a heavy police presence to the scene.
5 The lawsuits don't mention the grenade discovered in an Uber nearby — or that the NYPD said their response to the explosive device was obstructed by protesters.
Adam Gray for New York Post
An Uber driver had discovered a grenade in the back seat of his Nissan Altima and flagged down officers near 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Police later determined the device was inert — but said protesters delayed the bomb squad's response by blocking the roadway and surrounding emergency vehicles.
'Happy Saturday to all! Except the people who thought it was a good idea to block an NYPD ESU vehicle on the way to a bomb threat call,' then-NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted after the incident. 'They will be spending their Saturday where they belong – in jail!'
Video released by the NYPD shows dozens of demonstrators swarming a police vehicle before officers pushed them back.
5 The 'Millions March for Palestine' protest brought thousands to Times Square and shut down blocks of Midtown as tensions between demonstrators and police escalated.
Adam Gray for New York Post
The suit claims officers used 'discourteous and racist language' and refused to get her medical help despite repeated requests.
Both women allege they were denied phone calls, unlawfully searched at NYPD headquarters and held for hours before being released with desk appearance tickets, according to the lawsuit.
Both women were issued desk appearance tickets but never formally charged. Prosecutors later declined to pursue the cases.
5 Police shut down 42nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues as emergency units tried to reach the car with the grenade, while protesters continued to pack the surrounding blocks.
Adam Gray for New York Post
The lawsuits name multiple officers — including Capt. Gzim Palaj, Officer Vito Scalici and Detective Craig A. Jacob — and seek unspecified damages.
The lawsuits make no mention of the grenade incident — or any alleged interference with police response.
The NYPD declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Attorneys for the women also did not return messages.
5 Hasnain and Nijjar say they were issued desk appearance tickets and released the night of the protest. They claimed officers assaulted them and that their detention was unlawful, according to the legal papers.
Adam Gray for New York Post
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