Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, causing some commotion and delaying the parade for a short period of time. The protesters chanted slogans such as "Palestine will be free" and glued themselves to the street. One group of protesters unfurled a banner calling for an end to fossil fuels while expressing support for Palestinians in Gaza. The protesters wore white jumpsuits and doused themselves with red liquid to draw attention to their cause. However, the crowd lining the sidewalks responded with boos, showing their disapproval of the disruption.
NYPD officers were quick to remove the protesters from the street and allow the parade to continue. On another part of the parade route, protesters waving Palestinian flags and holding pro-Palestinian signs were singing various chants, including "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Some protesters called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, while others chanted "intifada revolution" as a solution.
During the parade's broadcast on television, an individual aboard a Native American float raised a small Palestinian flag, adding to the controversial atmosphere. Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, the parade announcers at that point, described the float as representing "the promise of the future guided by the knowledge of our shared heritage."
These protests are part of a larger trend of pro-Palestinian demonstrations across several U.S. cities and college campuses, with demands for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. In recent weeks, pro-Palestinian protesters have blocked access to transportation hubs and temporarily disrupted traffic on bridges in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Boston.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack, resulting in casualties on both sides. The violence has led to the deaths of over 11,000 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas as a response to the attacks.