New York's Grand Central Terminal closes temporarily due to ceasefire rally

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New York's Grand Central Terminal temporarily shut down due to Gaza ceasefire rally

Pro-Palestinian protesters packed the station, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters temporarily shuttered the doors of New York City's Grand Central Station as they gathered in the main concourse and called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The transit authority announced the temporary closure of the main depot station in the city, encouraging residents to find alternative methods.

Thousands of Jewish and Palestinians protesters take over the Grand Central lobby during protest demanding immediate ceasefire of attacks to Gaza by Israeli forces, on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in New York.  (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

A banner reading "Palestinians Should Be Free" is seen as people demonstrate calling for a cease-fire amid war between Israel and Hamas, at Grand Central Station in New York City on October 27, 2023. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

The MTA advised customers to consider traveling to and from Penn Station as an alternative.

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"Grand Central Terminal is closed due to a demonstration in the area," Metro-North Railroad wrote in an X post on Friday evening. "Customers should travel to Harlem-125th St for Metro-North service to points north."

The protests started around 6 p.m., WABC-TV reported.

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Jewish Voice for Peace, a national Jewish anti-Zionist group, said it was holding a protest at the station.

The hundreds of protesters swarming the station wore black T-shirts with the words 'Jews Say Cease Fire Now' on them.

People demonstrate calling for a cease-fire amid war between Israel and Hamas, at Grand Central Station in New York City on October 27, 2023.  ( KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Social media videos from the rally showed demonstrators chanting, "No more weapons, no more war."

"Ceasefire now, ceasefire now," protesters yelled.

Some participants held signs that read 'Never Again for Anyone' and 'Palestine Should be Free'. 

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Other videos showed the New York Police Department (NYPD) arresting protesters.

Cuffed protesters arrested during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire amid war between Israel and Hamas, have been transported by NYPD at Grand Central Station in New York City on October 27, 2023.  (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

The NYPD told Fox News Digital that they do not have the total number of arrests yet.

Last week, Jewish Voice for Peace organized a demonstration at the U.S. Capitol that led to about 300 arrests.

Fox News' Brie Stimpson contributed to this report.