At the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, protests disrupted the event for a second consecutive year as demonstrators blocked the parade route at West 55th Street and Sixth Avenue. Their actions halted the Ronald McDonald float, sparking a swift response from the NYPD.
Protesters held signs with messages like “Don’t celebrate genocide!” and “Free Palestine,” drawing boos from the crowd. Videos shared online captured moments of police wrestling protesters to the ground while others were peacefully detained. Chants of “Free, free Palestine!” from the demonstrators were met with counter-chants of “USA! USA! USA!” from spectators.
The incident followed a prior warning from New York Mayor Eric Adams, who had vowed that disruptions to the parade would not be tolerated. Within minutes, officers arrested the protesters, and the parade resumed to cheers as the Ronald McDonald float continued its route.
The protests coincided with recent developments in the Middle East, including a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah militants. The ceasefire, effective earlier in the week, includes a two-month pause in hostilities and requires Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon while Israeli troops return to their territory. Despite the agreement, concerns persist about its enforcement, with Israel warning of potential military action if violations occur.
