Alec Baldwin Slaps Phone of Anti-Israel Activist in New York Coffee Shop Confrontation

Actor Alec Baldwin was involved in a heated confrontation with an anti-Israel activist at a New York City coffee shop, where the activist repeatedly demanded that Baldwin say "Free Palestine." The incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, shows Baldwin slapping the activist's phone out of their hand.

The activist, known as "Crackhead Barney," approached Baldwin in the coffee shop and began pressing him to make a statement in support of Palestine. Baldwin initially ignored the activist's demands, but as the confrontation escalated, he asked an employee to call the police. When the activist brought up the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's film "Rust," the actor reached out and slapped the phone from their hand.

Following the incident, Crackhead Barney claimed that Baldwin had assaulted her and stated that she was considering pressing charges. The activist, who is known for their confrontational style and has a history of accosting people at various protests and events, defended their actions as "performance art" and a statement about the "double standards of society in the US" regarding support for Israel and the "genocide of Palestinians."

Why this matters: The confrontation between Alec Baldwin and the anti-Israel activist highlights the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even in seemingly unrelated settings. It also raises questions about the boundaries of public figures' privacy and the tactics used by activists to draw attention to their causes.

Baldwin, who is set to face trial in July on involuntary manslaughter charges related to the "Rust" shooting incident, has not directly addressed the coffee shop confrontation. However, he did share a video on social media showing his children playing at the beach shortly after the incident. Reactions to the confrontation have been mixed, with some fans defending Baldwin's actions and others criticizing the activist's behavior. "No, I support peace for Gaza," Baldwin had previously replied to a group of anti-Israel protesters who confronted him in December 2022.

Key Takeaways

• Alec Baldwin confronted by anti-Israel activist in NYC coffee shop
• Activist demanded Baldwin say "Free Palestine"; Baldwin slapped activist's phone
• Activist claims assault, considering pressing charges; Baldwin has not addressed incident
• Confrontation highlights tensions over Israeli-Palestinian conflict in public settings
• Baldwin faces trial in July over "Rust" shooting; has previously responded to protesters