Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered to disrupt Christmas in midtown Manhattan on Monday, chanting, “Christmas is canceled here” as Israel’s war in Gaza rages on.
The protest began at the Fox News Corporation building at 48th Street and 6th Avenue before marching over to Rockefeller Plaza, where demonstrators chanted, “Long live the intifada,” as revelers tried to snap family photos with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
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“AIPAC and IDF, you’ve been very busy. You are both on my permanent naughty list,” one sign held by a man in a headscarf and Santa suit read, referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Israel Defense Forces.
A fight also broke out outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which sent police officers running through the mob, according to a report.
The report said at least six arrests were made between midtown and Union Square on Monday night, where protesters largely dispersed.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have mostly called for a ceasefire, but they have turned to disrupting unrelated events to bring attention to their cause at the possible cost of public sympathy. The controversial practice has long been a strategy of advocacy groups to keep their cause in the public spotlight.
Scores of anti-Israel protesters similarly disrupted Thanksgiving celebrations last month, including at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a staple for many American families on the holiday.
A group of protesters carrying Palestinian flags and a large banner reading “Genocide then. Genocide now. Free Palestine. Land Back” jumped the barricades and ran in front of part of the parade at Sixth Avenue in New York City. The group of roughly 30 demonstrators glued themselves to the pavement, forcing the parade to be diverted.
The group positioned themselves in front of Grimace from McDonald’s, who was in a red McDonald’s car.
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Demonstrators also tried to interrupt last month’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, a protest that ballooned to well over 1,000 people, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service.
Brady Knox contributed to this report.
