Anti-Israel Protesters Interrupt Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 21 Arrested
For the second year in a row, anti-Israel protesters attempted to disrupt the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday. The group of about 20 protesters entered the parade route at W. 55th Street and Sixth Avenue, stopping the Ronald McDonald balloon in its tracks. The crowd of onlookers reacted with loud boos, demanding that the protesters move out of the way.
NYPD officers quickly responded to the situation, detaining the protesters and putting them in handcuffs. At least 21 were arrested, according to sources.
Photos and video from the scene showed protesters sitting in the parade path, holding a large banner reading “Don’t celebrate genocide.” The protesters also chanted “Free, free Palestine!” as they were being taken away. Others, however, were more peaceful, willingly standing up and walking with police officers.
The crowd reacted to the disruption by chanting “USA! USA! USA!” as the arrested protesters were taken away. The parade eventually continued, with the balloon line leader, Ronald McDonald, welcoming everyone back to the parade route.
Mayor Eric Adams had issued a warning to protesters ahead of the event, stating that he would not tolerate repeat performances of last year’s disruptions, in which many protesters glued their hands to the parade route. Despite the success of the protest, the group failed to cause significant disruptions to the parade, which continued without major interruption.