Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, prompting arrests

New York police arrested a group of pro-Palestinian protesters who briefly disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday by attempting to block the parade route near the Ronald McDonald float.

The 98th annual parade, a hallmark of America’s Thanksgiving celebrations, featured giant cartoon character balloons, marching bands, and live performances, attracting thousands of spectators along Manhattan’s streets and millions more watching on television nationwide.

“The demonstrators were taken into custody without incident,” the New York Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement, adding that the number of arrests and pending charges remain unclear.

About 20 protesters, sitting on the street in steady rain, displayed banners with slogans such as “Don’t celebrate genocide” and “Arms embargo now!” as the Ronald McDonald float passed overhead. Other demonstrators stood behind the group holding similar signs, according to Reuters images.

Initially, officers advised the protesters to disperse without intervention, but a bicycle-mounted police unit soon arrived, clashing with the group before removing them from the scene.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who took office earlier this week, had assured NBC Television before the event that authorities were prepared for any potential disruptions. “We’ve got extensive security measures in place, including visible and covert resources, canine units, and drones,” Tisch said.

The protesters were demonstrating against Israel’s actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli reports.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to over 44,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the local health ministry. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, sparked widespread hunger, and triggered allegations of genocide at the International Criminal Court, accusations Israel strongly denies.

The interruption marked a rare moment of political activism during the famed parade, underscoring heightened global tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.