h, nazan ışık—

26 September 2024 —

 Every September world leaders travel to New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). And this year the 79th UNGA that brought 193 UN member states, each with a vote in the General Assembly, started on Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

The UN is located on First Ave between 42nd Street and 48th Street.

And every year, while the UNGA is in town, how Midtown New York City looks..

Monday, 23 September 2024 :

First Ave was closed from 34th Street to 51st Street, and Second Ave from 42nd street to 48th Street was closed to traffic, detours were available. 

Second Ave and 47th Street, looked very empty with barricades, and no traffic.  © h. nazan ışık 

Second Ave 46th Street. Security was very tight. © h. nazan ışık

Not only avenues but also streets, all streets between 42nd to 48th Street were closed to traffic and also people, except with valid badges like UN or consulate, and people who live there with a proof of an ID showing one’s home address.

Second Ave and 46th Street. © h. nazan ışık

Tuesday, 24 September 2024:

A homeless man on 48th street while Channel 7, ABC reporter Kemberly Richardson was at 48th Street and 2nd Ave announcing world leaders’ arrival to New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to maintain International Peace and Security, Protect Human Rights, deliver Humanitarian Aid. © h. nazan ışık 

Second Ave 49th Street was closed too for President Biden’s motorcade..  

After a long wait President Biden’s motorcade arrived © h. nazan ışık

President Joe Biden was going to the UN to make his final address before the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as President. © h. nazan ışık

Security was very tight. © h. nazan ışık

Thursday, 26 September 2024:

Today it was even worse. I was on a bus going to 43rd street from 61st street on 2nd Avenue.

I asked the driver: “ How is the traffic today, running smoothly?

“Yes!” he said.

And at 57th street nothing was moving. Stopped! Every car had to make a right or left turn. A detour! 

Police said “ There is a police activity, traffic has stopped, but it is open for people, if they want to walk.”

And I decided to walk.

This was what I saw: 

 Lots of police officers with zip tie handcuffs.

Barricaded street and police officers with zip tie handcuffs. © h. nazan ışık

  More police officers with zip tie handcuffs were standing. © h.nazan ışık

 More barricaded streets and police officers with zip tie handcuffs. © h. nazan ışık

“What happened? What are you expecting?” I asked.

“Nothing. Maybe a possible protest.” they said.

I continued walking…saw nothing!

© h. nazan ışık

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