Pro-Palestinian march heads towards NYC’s Rockefeller Center during famous Christmas tree lighting – including one protester displaying a swastika
a The pro-Palestinian march converged near Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Wednesday evening, during the nationally televised Christmas tree lighting held there every year.
WCBS-TV reporter Ali Bauman posted images of the demonstration on X, showing a protester holding a sign with a large swastika.
Protesters had announced plans to do just that “Flood the Tree Lighting for Gaza” ahead of the 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, which kicked off at 8 p.m. and will culminate with the tree lighting shortly before 10 p.m.
The NYPD previously said it was preparing for possible protests. By midday there was already a heavy police presence with additional security barriers and officers lining the surrounding streets.
Police have urged attendees to act with “heightened vigilance” during the annual event, after the pro-Palestinian group called “Within Our Lifetime” shared a flyer Monday night titled “Flood the tree lighting FOR GAZA.”
Pro-Palestinian supporters gather for a rally near the Rockefeller tree lighting in New York City on Wednesday
The meeting comes as the initial four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was extended by two days, interrupting seven weeks of warfare that has killed thousands of people in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.
The Rockefeller protest comes just weeks after pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, where some individuals clung to the ground and at least 34 people were arrested for disorderly conduct.
At Rockefeller Center, the iconic Christmas tree will be illuminated by more than 50,000 multi-colored lights Wednesday evening as crowds of spectators gather for the Christmas tradition.
The enormous tree — a 12-ton, 80-foot-tall Norway spruce from upstate New York — will be illuminated by approximately five miles of LED string lights and topped by a 900-pound star covered in 3 million glowing crystals.
Cher, Barry Manilow and Kelly Clarkson will perform during the ceremony in Manhattan. The Radio City Rockettes will also perform.
Since the 1930s, Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree tradition has drawn thousands of visitors to the city each year during the holidays.
Kelly Clarkson performs at the 91st lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
Protesters had announced plans to ‘flood the tree lighting for Gaza’ ahead of the 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The NYPD previously said it was preparing for possible protests. By midday there was already a heavy police presence with additional security barriers and officers lining the streets
At Rockefeller Center, the iconic Christmas tree will be illuminated by more than 50,000 multi-colored lights Wednesday evening as crowds of spectators gather for the holiday tradition
The Rockefeller protest (above) comes just weeks after pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade
Barry Manilow performs at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony in New York on Wednesday
After the first lighting on Wednesday, the tree will remain lit every day from 5 a.m. to midnight until January 13. On Christmas Day it will be illuminated 24 hours a day.
Police warned of the possibility of protesters interrupting the event, as recent rallies in New York have attracted activists seeking to draw attention to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Earlier, photos and videos posted on social media showed a large crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters a few blocks away from the tree ceremony at the News Corp. building, which houses Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
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