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TRENDING NOW IN METRO

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PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS, ONE CARRYING SWASTIKA, SWARM MIDTOWN...

AGING MOBSTER 'PUNCHED' NYC STEAKHOUSE OWNER FOR CALLING HIM...

HERE'S HOW MUCH CONGESTION PRICING MAY COST NYC DRIVERS

Metro

Israel war 2023


PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS, ONE CARRYING SWASTIKA, SWARM MIDTOWN IN BID TO
DERAIL ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

By Craig McCarthy, Reuven Fenton, Steven Vago and Katherine Donlevy

Published Nov. 29, 2023
Updated Nov. 29, 2023, 10:13 p.m. ET


MORE ON: CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER


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   LIGHTING 2023


 * CHER WALKED OUT ON RECORDING HER NO. 1 SMASH 25 YEARS AGO


 * NYPD CALLS FOR ‘ELEVATED VIGILANCE’ DURING ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE LIGHTING
   AS PRO-PALESTINIAN GROUP PLANS TO ‘FLOOD’ EVENT

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the streets surrounding
Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, clashing with NYPD cops and chanting “River to
the sea,” long seen as an antisemitic slogan, in an effort to support Gaza
by derailing the annual tree lighting.

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Waving Palestinian flags and signs calling for the “end to genocide,” the
ralliers gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside hordes of tourists waiting in
line to see the iconic ceremony.

Unable to get to the NYC Christmas tree, the enormous crowd instead swarmed
around the tree outside the News Corp building, which houses The Post and Fox
News, and which has already been targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters on at
least two occasions.

“Free, free Palestine!” the protesters chanted.

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One rallier was seen climbing on top of the pillar bearing the building’s
address, and another was seen carrying a massive sign bearing a swastika,
comparing the Israel Defense Forces to Nazis.

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NYPD officers continuously pushed back the crowds, who shoved back, calling the
cops “f–king Nazis.”

The protesters attempted to knock down the barricades cops put up to keep them
separate from the throngs hoping to take in the Big Apple holiday tradition.

The NYPD ordered a high security presence before the planned protest, warning
that “elevated vigilance” is necessary during this year’s Christmas tree
lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.

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Pro-Palestinian organizers announced their plans to disrupt the festivities
earlier this week, noting that the world-renowned celebration also falls on the
UN-recognized International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

8
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the streets surrounding
Rockefeller Center on Wednesday in an effort to derail its annual Christmas tree
lighting and support Gaza. Annie Wermiel/NY Post
8
Waving Palestinian flags and signs calling for an “end to genocide,” the
ralliers gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside hordes of tourists waiting in
line to see the iconic ceremony. James Keivom

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Additional NYPD units were called in, law enforcement sources told The Post,
adding that officers were being attacked.

“They should have shut it down. They lost control of the street. I was shoved,
punched, kicked. It’s bulls–t,” one cop caught in the fray said.

Another called it “complete chaos.”

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Several protesters were seen being taken into custody, though it’s not clear
whether they were charged.

8
The protesters gathered outside the News Corp building, which houses The Post
and Fox News, and has already been targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters on at
least two occasions. James Keivom
8
One person was seen climbing on top of the pillar bearing the building’s
address, and another was seen carrying a massive sign bearing a swastika,
comparing the Israel Defense Forces to Nazis. FNTV

Advertisement

8
“They should have shut it down. They lost control of the street. I was shoved,
punched, kicked. It’s bulls–t,” one cop caught in the fray said. John Roca

Thousands of tourists forced to share the space with the rambunctious
demonstration jeered at the protesters for standing in the way of the wholesome
tradition.

Jamie Fry, 42, who flew in from the United Kingdom to watch the tree-lighting
spectacle, said the protest was “very annoying.”

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“I had planned my holiday around this event, being a big fan of Christmas. Now
I’m walled in by a bunch of terrorist-loving a–holes calling for intifada,” Fry
told The Post.

“Their strategy for sympathy is disruption, but all they’ll get out of me is a
big ‘F–k you.’” 

8
Thousands of tourists forced to share the space with the rambunctious
demonstration jeered at the protesters for standing in the way of the wholesome
tradition. John Roca

Advertisement

8
The NYPD ordered a high security presence before the planned protest, warning
that “elevated vigilance” is necessary during this year’s Christmas tree
lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center. Alex Mead/NY Post
8
Pro-Palestinian organizers announced their plans to disrupt the festivities
earlier this week, noting that the world-renowned celebration also falls on the
UN-recognized International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Alex
Mead/NY Post

Opal Burnett, 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, echoed Fry’s frustration, calling the
interruption an embarrassment.

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“It’s super, super annoying. Just excruciating. Seeing these people in such
large numbers, it makes me feel embarrassed to be an American because people are
watching this happening from abroad. Kudos to the cops for keeping these people
under control and for showing restraint, because they deal with a lot of verbal
abuse,” she said.

Other tree viewers, though dismayed, were emphatic that the boisterous protest
wouldn’t spoil the holiday tradition.

“Politics has no place at an event like this, but that’s exactly why they do it
— to disrupt the status quo, to ruin the things we cherish and take comfort in,”
said Lillian Gonzalez, 40, of the Bronx.

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“The Christmas tree brings a message of peace, not conflict. That’s why we’re
gathered here today, not to protest but to welcome in the holiday season. None
of this mob activity is going to take that away from us.”

What do you think? Post a comment.

The unusually rowdy protest dissipated just an hour into the Rockefeller Center
Christmas tree lighting ceremony the demonstrators were aiming to disrupt,
instead transitioning into a march through Manhattan toward Times Square, where
they shouted, “Shut it down.”

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In spite of the rally, the 91st annual ceremony went off without a hitch.

Kelly Clarkson hosted and performed at the two-hour extravaganza, kicking off
the show with a rendition of her 2013 song “Underneath the Tree.” 

KeKe Palmer, Barry Manilow and David Foster and wife Katharine McPhee were just
some of the big names to show up at the star-studded event. Cher even appeared
to perform her new song “DJ Play a Christmas Song” off her very first Christmas
album.


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