Anti-Israel Protesters Arrested for Disrupting Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in NYC!
Anti-Israel protesters caused chaos at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, marking the second consecutive year that they disrupted the iconic event. Police quickly responded, making about 25 arrests as the protesters blocked the parade route in a bold attempt to push their message.
Around 9:25 a.m., the protesters entered the parade path at West 55th Street and Fifth Avenue. They stopped the Ronald McDonald balloon in its tracks, leading to loud boos and chants from the crowd. The parade-goers, who had gathered to enjoy the spectacle, were upset at the interruption. As one person yelled, “Get the hell out of here,” the protesters unfurled a large banner that read: “Don’t celebrate genocide!”
The protesters, shouting “Free, free Palestine!” as they sat on the parade route, faced immediate intervention from the NYPD. Officers quickly moved in, tackling the demonstrators and placing them in handcuffs. While the police reported that the arrests were made “without incident,” footage showed a more forceful response, with some protesters being dragged from the street and flipped over onto their stomachs.
Despite the chaos, the disruption lasted only about five minutes before the parade resumed. The arrested protesters were taken to One Police Plaza for processing, where they spent hours at the NYPD’s mass arrest facility, sources said.
A Brooklyn cop who observed the arrests expressed frustration, calling the protest inappropriate for the occasion. “This is disgusting,” the officer said. “There are times and places to protest peacefully, but not at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is a day for families to enjoy, not be interrupted by these a-holes.”
Independent journalist Talia Jane, who reported on the protest, identified the group as “autonomous anti-genocide activists.” Jane shared a viral video showing the protesters hopping over barricades, blocking the Ronald McDonald balloon, and sitting in the middle of the street.
The protests this year seemed less disruptive than the previous year when about 40 people were arrested after some glued their hands to the parade route. Mayor Eric Adams had warned protesters ahead of time not to repeat last year’s actions, stating that he would not tolerate disruptions.
“The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a time for families to come together, not for political stunts,” Adams had said on Wednesday night. “I want to be clear — anyone attempting to disrupt the parade will face consequences.”
City officials criticized the protest as disrespectful. Kayla Mamelak, a spokesperson for City Hall, stated, “Interrupting New York City’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to protest a conflict overseas is disrespectful and accomplishes absolutely nothing.” She added that the protesters had “won over no one” and only caused unnecessary disruption.
While the protesters’ primary message was related to Palestine, the banners they carried also made strong anti-Thanksgiving statements. According to a message posted online, the protesters were targeting what they called “fascism” and linked it to genocide, emphasizing the need for global resistance.
“On the holiday where this fascist empire commemorates its first but not only genocide,” the message read, “a group of autonomous organizers reminds us that fascism here or anywhere is linked to genocide here and everywhere.”
The protesters were determined to make their voices heard, even if it meant ruining the holiday spirit for thousands of people who had gathered to enjoy the parade. Despite their brief interruption, the protesters left behind a significant mark on what should have been a peaceful and celebratory day for New York City.
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