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Hundreds of demonstrators opposed to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad marched across the Brooklyn Bridge chanting “Hey, ho, Ahmadinejad has to go!” and carrying vibrant green banners that flapped in the air.

The march, organized by Voices 4 Iran, sought to show solidarity with anti-Ahmadinejad forces in Iran as the leader participates in events at the United Nations.

Across town, near the U.N., a crowd gathered in support of the Jewish community and Israel. Among the speakers was Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. Wiesel described Ahmadinejad as a “living embarrassment” to those who strive for global peace. Of Ahmadinejad’s presence at the U.N. General Assembly, he said, “How can you leaders of the world accept him without protest?”

According to Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, “we’re really at a crossroads” in how the world deals with the Iranian government. He compared the current situation with Iran to the Cold War and said human rights issues topped the list of concerns.