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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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