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1 year ago
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A pro-Palestinian march converged near New York City's Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday night, during the nationally televised Christmas tree lighting held there each year.
WCBS-TV reporter Ali Bauman posted images of the demonstration on X, showing one protester holding a placard with a large swastika.
Demonstrators had announced plans to 'flood the tree lighting for Gaza' ahead of the 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, which kicked off at 8pm, and will culminate in the tree lighting shortly before 10pm.
The NYPD previously said it was preparing for potential protests. A large police presence was already noticeable midday with extra security barriers and officers lining the surrounding streets.
Police have urged attendees to act with 'elevated 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 on Wednesday in New York City
The rally comes as the initial four day truce between Israel and Hamas was extended by two days pausing the seven weeks of warfare that has killed thousands in Gaza following the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel
The Rockefeller protest 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.
At Rockefeller Center, the iconic Christmas tree will be lit Wednesday night by more than 50,000 multicolored lights as large crowds of spectators gather for the holiday tradition.
The massive tree - a 12 ton, 80-foot-tall Norway spruce from upstate New York - will be illuminated by about five miles of LED string lights and topped with a 900-pound star covered in 3 million gleaming crystals.
The ceremony in Manhattan will feature appearances by Cher, Barry Manilow and Kelly Clarkson, among others. The Radio City Rockettes will also perform.
Starting in the 1930s, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition has drawn thousands of visitors to the city each year during the holiday season.
Kelly Clarkson performs during the 91st lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Demonstrators 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 potential protests. A large police presence was already noticeable midday with extra security barriers and officers lining the streets
At Rockefeller Center, the iconic Christmas tree will be lit Wednesday night by more than 50,000 multicolored lights as large crowds of spectators gather for the holiday tradition
The Rockefeller protest (above) comes just weeks after pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Barry Manilow performs at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday in New York
Following its initial lighting on Wednesday, the tree will remain lit from 5am to midnight every day until January 13. On Christmas day, it'll be lit 24 hours.
Police warned of the potential for protesters to interrupt the event, as recent gatherings in New York have drawn activists seeking to bring attention to the Israel-Hamas war.
Earlier, photos and video posted to social media showed the 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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