Musician Cher is set to headline the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Wednesday in New York City.
Cher, 77, also recently headlined Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has been known to be an outspoken voice for liberal causes, including advocating for the LGBT community. This year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade also featured at least two gender-nonconforming performers in the event’s effort to highlight inclusivity.
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Aside from Cher, other scheduled performers include Barry Manilow, Seth MacFarlane, and Katharine McPhee. The event will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson alongside NBC News’s Today co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin.
“I can’t imagine a better way to kick off Christmas this year than to be a part of this beautiful New York tradition with the lighting of the tree,” Clarkson told NBC.
Amid the festivities, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to “flood the tree lighting for Gaza.”
🚨🇵🇸WEDNESDAY NOV. 29TH: 6:00 PM RALLY AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER TO FLOOD THE TREE LIGHTING FOR GAZA!🌲
PRIESTS OF PALESTINE CALL FOR MOBILIZATION, NOT CELEBRATION!
BRING YOUR FLAGS, SIGNS & KEFFIYEHS AND SHARE WIDELY! pic.twitter.com/3qof7xutgm
— Within Our Lifetime (@WOLPalestine) November 27, 2023
Within Our Lifetime, the New York City-based organization, took to social media on Tuesday, calling for protesters to “bring your flags, signs, and keffiyehs.”
The group’s use of the terminology “flood” has drawn ire online as some have compared it to “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” the label Hamas and other terrorist organizations have given the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Hamas named October 7th “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” so if you’re going to a rally with Flood in the title you know what you’re supporting. pic.twitter.com/yLOYcKqumW
— Elon Altman (@ElonAltman) November 27, 2023
The New York City Police Department is reportedly aware of the protest and has warned that “elevated vigilance” is necessary.
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Last month, Cher stirred up a storm on social media when she announced she would leave the United States should former President Donald Trump retake the White House in 2024. The singer has long voiced her distaste for Trump, stating in 2016 that she would “leave the planet” if he won the presidential race.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is an 80-foot tall, 12-ton Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York. The lighting ceremony will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
