For the second year in a row, anti-Israel protesters attempted to disrupt the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, causing a brief but chaotic interruption Thursday before police swiftly intervened to make multiple arrests.
The group of around 20 demonstrators entered the parade route at West 55th Street and Sixth Avenue, bringing the procession to a halt and drawing loud boos from onlookers. Protesters sat in the parade’s path, holding signs and banners with slogans such as “Don’t celebrate genocide!” while chanting “Free, free Palestine!”
NYPD officers quickly swarmed the scene, arresting the protesters after heated scuffles. Video footage captured officers tackling several demonstrators to the ground, flipping them onto their stomachs, and placing them in handcuffs, while others were seen cooperating with police as they were escorted away.
One particularly chaotic moment showed protesters struggling with police over a large banner, which was crumpled as demonstrators were handcuffed atop it. The crowd erupted into chants of “USA! USA!” as officers cleared the path and resumed the parade.
The disruption lasted about five minutes before the festivities continued, with the balloon leader reintroducing the halted float to applause from spectators.
* The New York Post contributed to this article.