On Thursday, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after briefly interrupting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The demonstrators attempted to block the parade route just ahead of the Ronald McDonald float. The parade, which is part of the Thanksgiving tradition, features giant balloons, marching bands, and live performances, drawing thousands to the streets of Manhattan each year.
The protesters sat in the street, holding a banner that read “Don’t celebrate genocide” and “Arms embargo now!” while the Ronald McDonald balloon floated above. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed the protesters were taken into custody without incident, although the number of detainees and the charges they face were unclear.
At first, police advised the protesters to leave, but tensions escalated when bicycle-mounted officers arrived, clashing with demonstrators and removing them from the scene. NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who had recently been sworn in, stated that while authorities were not expecting protests, they were prepared with both visible and unseen security measures, including drones and canines.
The protest was in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in hostages being taken. Israel’s subsequent assault has led to significant Palestinian casualties and displacement, sparking allegations of genocide.
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