NEW YORK (WRGB) — New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov surrendered to police and was arrested Friday after she was photographed with a gun in her waistband at a pro-Palestinian rally.
Vernikov, a Republican and licensed gun owner, attended the rally Thursday at Brooklyn College, but in protest to the rally.
"Jewish women, children, Holocaust survivors and babies are being beheaded and slaughtered and massacred," she said in a video on X, which is the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
"They are supporting Hamas," she added. "If you're here today standing with these people, you're nothing short of a terrorist without the bombs."
She also noted that she wanted to "make Jewish students feel safe" during the event.
"If you’re standing w/ the protestors, yelling 'GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA' & 'FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE' while innocent women and babies are being raped, massacred and beheaded, you’re a HAMAS supporter & apologist who would like to bring the terror here to rid the world of the Jewish people. We will never remain silent," she captioned the video.
Police said they told Vernikov she was not authorized to carry the weapon at a public gathering, despite having a gun license.
Police confiscated the gun and her gun permit was temporarily revoked.
"New York's gun safety laws apply to everyone," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul noted on X.
The war in Israel has claimed at least 2,700 lives on both sides.
Approximately 150 people -- including several Americans -- are being held captive.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed America will support Israel, including the release of hostages who were captured during Saturday's deadly invasion.
"We stand with Israel," he said.
"You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to," Blinken told Israel during a news conference. "We will always be there by your side.”
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The National Desk's Jessica A. Botelho contributed to this report.
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