Members of the Jewish community and allies from other faiths gathered for a rally in Midtown Manhattan against antisemitism, according to Eyewitness News ABC7NY. Organizers said the demonstration was held in response to an attack at Central Synagogue.
The attack took place on Friday during a service at the Midtown synagogue. It was captured on the synagogue's own live stream, which was broadcasting the service at the time.
According to the station, a man stood up during the service, approached the front of the sanctuary and began shouting. The disruption quickly escalated in front of the congregation.
The man then struck a woman and head-butted a security guard, all while uttering a racial slur, the broadcaster reported. The violence unfolded as worshippers were gathered for the service.
The man arrested in connection with the attack was identified as Larry Montes. He was already facing state charges over the incident before the case escalated further.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that Montes is now facing two federal hate crime charges. He is currently being held on $10,000 bail, according to the report.
The rally in Midtown reflected the alarm the attack caused within the Jewish community and beyond. Organizers and participants used the gathering to speak out against antisemitism after the assault at one of the city's prominent synagogues.