(Daily Mail) New York City‘s Thanksgiving parade was hit by pro-Palestine protests as the festive event was derailed by heightened tensions over the Middle East crisis.
A demonstrator on a New England Native American tribe’s float held a Palestinian flag aloft as the parade moved through Midtown Manhattan, before a group of activists disrupted the procession by leaping over the barricades and sitting the on the route, unveiling a large ‘Free Palestine‘ banner.
Around 30 protestors halted the parade along Sixth Avenue as it was briefly paused, with reports indicating some may have glued themselves to the road. The NYPD told DailyMail.com that ‘several’ protestors had been taken into custody, although the number of people arrested is unclear.
The moment sparked outrage online among those who hoped the fun family event could avoid being spoiled by politics, while others remarked that the broadcast coverage appeared to purposefully avoid showing the disruption taking place.
The Big Apple’s parade was not the only one marred by politics, however, as Detroit’s Thanksgiving festivities also saw a large contingent of pro-Palestine activists descend on the city.
Amid heightened tensions in New York, NYPD officers are out in force as officials say they have stepped up extra ‘robust’ security along the route compared to years past.
Pro-Palestine protestors leapt over the barricade and brought the parade to a halt roughly two hours after the procession got underway on Thursday morning
Several demonstrators were taken into custody after marring the family event with political outbursts over the Middle East crisis
Pro-Palestinian protesters are blocking the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route.
They have glued themselves to the ground and are demanding both “Liberation for Palestine and Climate” blocking the Sinclair Oil Corporation Dinosaur balloon. pic.twitter.com/r7pXPMAqHJ
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 23, 2023
🚨 BREAKING: Protesters are disrupting Detroit’s Thanksgiving parade to call for an end to the genocide in Palestine.
“From Turtle Island to Palestine, genocide is a crime!” pic.twitter.com/ZAQbQWeqRa
— DH (@DannySolidarity) November 23, 2023
BREAKING: Pro-Palestine protesters unfurl a Free Palestine banner at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City pic.twitter.com/L17bwucE2S
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) November 23, 2023
Before it was hit by political disruptions, the Big Apple rang in Turkey Day in style as a colorful procession moved past Central Park to start the day’s festivities
The iconic Tom Turkey float was led down the parade route by an ensemble of Thanksgiving dancers as the event got off to a sunny and light-hearted opening, before pro-Palestine protestors leapt over the railings and brought it to a brief halt
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise call-in to the broadcast to celebrate the parade earlier in the day, where the President said the fun-filled event was a chance for the nation to heal divides.
‘We have to come together, we can have different political views but we have one view. We’re the greatest nation in the world,’ Biden said, as the First Lady called on Americans to ‘do something nice to someone else’ today.
Before the event was hampered by politics, the family event got off to a bright and sunny start as the city celebrated the 97th edition of Macy’s Thanksgiving parade – although Snoopy fans were left deflated after the air went out of one of the famed giant balloons.
Over three dozen floats, 25 giant balloons and 18 star performers – including Jon Baptiste and Cher – took center stage as the vibrant parade moved through the city, with the first parade floats reaching Midtown Manhattan in the mid-morning.
Kicking off at 8:30 ET, the moment has seen the return of longtime host Al Roker after he suffered several health scares in the past year, as he will present the event alongside NBC Today stars Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.
New York City burst into life as the 97th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade took over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday morning
Snoopy fans were left deflated after the air went out of the family-favorite character as the giant balloon floated down Manhattan
Manhattan’s streets were dozens of people deep as families flocked to the Big Apple to enjoy the start to the holiday season
A marching band was among the opening performers on the parade route, which played along the streets before over three dozen huge floats
After missing last year’s event through illness for the first time since 1995, longtime co-host Al Roker received a warm welcome as he returned to present the parade – seen at the opening dance performance alongside parade dancers
Over three dozen floats and 25 giant balloons took over the parade route as it moved past Central Park
Eager attendees lined the streets from as early as 5am to catch the best spot to watch the procession.
The parade route is also set to be marked with a heightened police presence, following several protests erupting in recent weeks over the crisis in the Middle East and a terror scare at the US-Canada border in New York on Wednesday afternoon.
NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban acknowledged the security increase as he spoke to NBC before the parade got started, saying he was ‘working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure everything is safe.’
While insisting there are ‘no specific or credible threats to New York City or the parade in general’, the commissioner said the entire NYPD has been ‘on high alert since October 7.’
‘We encourage all families to come out and enjoy the day,’ he added, noting that this year’s event is his first as the city’s police commissioner.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said there is a heightened police presence at this year’s event amid tensions in the Big Apple, but insisted there are ‘no credible threats’ to the parade
Alongside the world-famous giant balloons, the parade will see a number of musical acts and ensembles from several Broadway shows, including ‘Shucked’ and ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’
The parade route stretches 2.5 miles from the Upper West Side to Macy’s Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan
The world-famous giant balloons are back and bigger than ever for this year’s parade, with seven new characters joining 18 others that have flown through the Big Apple before
Roker was in good spirits as he rang in the morning’s festivities with talk show host Jimmy Fallon
Starting at West 77th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the parade was opened by a number of musical acts including a marching band to lead the 2.5-mile route.
The parade will march near several New York City landmarks including the Empire State Building, before coming to a close at Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street.
The world-famous giant balloons are back and bigger than ever for this year’s parade, with seven new characters joining 18 others that have flown through the Big Apple before.
Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Leo, and Uncle Dan are among the iconic balloons set to be sent down the parade – with a five-story tall Pillsbury Doughboy among the eye-catching new entrants.
Preparations began on Wednesday evening as towering balloons were set up along the parade route, seen on New York City’s Upper West Side
Twenty five balloons will loom over the Big Apple, including Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo, and Uncle Dan
Eighteen performers are also preparing to take center stage, with music icon Cher accompanied by acts including En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago and Pentatonix
Before the parade got underway, the Macy’s Santa Claus appeared on the trading floor to at the New York Stock Exchange
