NYC is on high alert ahead of pro-Palestinian march at annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting - as cops urge spectators to act with 'elevated vigilance'

New York City is on high alert after a pro-Palestinian group announced its plans to 'flood the tree lighting for Gaza,' ahead of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting. 

The 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Wednesday evening, kicking off at approximately 7pm. 

Police have urged attendees to act with 'elevated vigilance' during the annual event after the pro-Palestine group called 'Within Our Lifetime' shared a flyer Monday night titled, 'Flood the tree lighting FOR GAZA.' 

The NYPD announced it was preparing for potential protests. A large police presence was already noticeable midday with extra security barriers and officers lining the surrounding streets. 

This comes just weeks after pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where some individuals glued themselves to the ground and at least 34 were arrested for disorderly conduct.

To add to the evening's troubles, temperatures are forecast to drop to freezing at around 7pm, though it will feel even chillier. 

Thousands of onlookers are expected to stand in the cold for hours to catch a glimpse of the 80-foot Norway spruce that will be lit with 50,000 lights, and to see Kelly Clarkson, who is slated to host the event.

In the memo, the NYPD also stated that big-scale events such as the tree lighting are targets for 'malicious actors' looking to spread harm during the busy holiday season.

The memo, which was shared with The New York Post, revealed there are no 'specific or credible' threats targeting the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 

Authorities added 'a variety of foreign terrorist organizations have persistently called for broad attacks on US interests' ever since Hamas launched the violent attack on Israel on October 7.

The police department made it clear that online propaganda isn't substantial enough to pose a threat to the public but could still 'resonate' with 'US-based homegrown violent extremists.'

The group, also known as 'wolpalestine' mentioned that Wednesday marks the International Day of Solidarity for the Palestine community and has been observed since 1977.

'This year, Jerusalem's 13 official churches + the Bethlehem Municipality itself has called to suspend Christmas celebrations in mourning for the ongoing genocide in Gaza,' the post said.

Within Our Lifetime has been the leader of many other protests in the Big Apple after they staged a protest at Grand Central Station on November 10.

A mob of masked pro-Palestinian protesters stormed Grand Central station on Friday night, kicking in the door and cracking the glass but failing to make it into the closed station.

While a person with a bull horn chanted 'we are all Palestinians', a handful of men tried to smash down the doors. Angry scenes ensued as the police tried to move them away from the station.

Grand Central - which sees 750,000 people pass through every day - was closed on that night amid the chaos, and New York Police Department warned people to avoid the area.

More recently, the pro-Palestine group posted a disturbing map of landmarks in the city that they classified as 'direct targets'.

The graphic specified famous buildings and companies in the Big Apple that have ties to Israel or are media companies.

The page that posted the map goes by the name Within Our Lifetime and has described itself as a Palestinian-led community organization that's said, 'We will free Palestine.'

'Each of the locations on this map reflects the location of an office of an enemy of both the Palestinian people and colonized people all over the world, the group stated, according to the New York Post. 'Today and beyond, these locations will be sites for popular mobilization in defense of our people,' the post read.

The Rockefeller tree lighting ceremony is a yearly tradition that began in 1933. 

People from all over travel and gather to watch the giant hand-picked Christmas tree make its first appearance of the season.

This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree made the 200 mile journey from upstate New York to the Manhattan holiday hotspot. 

The tree - an 80-year-old Norway Spruce - arrived in the New York City Plaza on November 11. 

Known for its mesmerizing display of glittering fairy lights, it will soon be adorned with a five-mile string of more than 50,000 multi-colored LEDs. 

Decorators will complete the festive dressing with the signature Swarovski star sporting three million crystals which has topped Rockefeller Center trees since 2004. 

The ceremony is open to the public with spectator entry points at 48th Street and 6th Avenue and at 51st Street and 6th Avenue opening around 4 pm.

Additionally, there will be an accessible viewing point at the southwest corner of 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza. The event will also be aired on television.

This comes as Fox News Media hosted its fourth annual All-American Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the network's headquarters in midtown Manhattan. 

The event benefited the First Responder's Children's Foundation, and took place during the live broadcast of cable's top-rated show, The Five, featuring co-hosts Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Judge Jeanine Pirro and Harold Ford Jr.

Perino honored Israel and the Jewish people at the ceremony. 

'The holiday season always reminds us to remember what is most important. This year, the Fox family is thinking of Israel and the Jewish people,' she said. 'Believe me, we hear you and we are standing with you. It has been a heart wrenching 44 days since Hamas terrorists launched an attack on the Israeli people.' 

'More than 200 are still being held hostage, including babies as young as ten months old. And we are all hoping and praying that their families get to hug them again very soon.'