'Anti-Gaza war' protesters block New York's Thanksgiving march and stage a surprise demonstration

Second time since last year… Police temporarily halt the event while arresting protesters

This year marks the 98th Macy’s Parade… Even in rainy weather, New Yorkers are eager to enjoy the event

New York police arrest protesters opposing war in Palestine

[뉴욕 AP=연합뉴스]

(New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Lee Ji-heon = During the Thanksgiving Day celebration parade held in New York, USA on the 28th (local time), demonstrators calling for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip in Palestine staged a surprise protest by occupying the road and were all arrested by the police.

According to reports from local media in New York, including ABC7, around 9:30 a.m. on this day, about 20 protesters broke through police barricades near 55th Street in Manhattan and entered the road leading to the Thanksgiving Day parade.

Protesters held banners that read, “Let’s not celebrate genocide. Immediately enforce an arms embargo,” chanted “Liberate Palestine,” and called for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

New York police arrest protesters opposing war in Palestine

[뉴욕 로이터=연합뉴스]

Immediately after the protest began, nearby police were dispatched and arrested the protesters, and in the process, the New York Thanksgiving Day Parade was halted for about five minutes.

This is the second time since last year that anti-Gaza war protesters staged a surprise demonstration during the New York Thanksgiving Day celebration parade.

Since the war in the Gaza Strip began with a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas on October 7 last year, civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip have increased and humanitarian disasters have continued due to Israeli attacks, and rallies and demonstrations calling for a halt to the war have continued in the New York area. there is.

SpongeBob balloons appear in the New York Thanksgiving Day Parade

[뉴욕 AFP=연합뉴스]

The New York Thanksgiving Day Parade, sponsored by Macy’s Department Store, is considered the largest and most spectacular of the various holiday celebration events that take place on this day across the United States.

It first started 100 years ago in 1924, and this year marks its 98th anniversary. The only three years in which the event was not held were between 1942 and 1944, during World War II.

Although it rained throughout the event this year, it did not stop the enthusiasm of New Yorkers who wanted to enjoy the long-standing parade to celebrate America’s biggest holiday.

Parade performers marched wearing raincoats, and visitors who also wore raincoats or held umbrellas responded by cheering each time a large balloon or decorated vehicle passed by.

The organizers announced that this year’s event involved 17 oversized character balloons, 22 decorated vehicles, 15 new and traditional large balloons, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, and 10 performance troupes.

In addition, popular singers, actors, and players from the New York Liberty, the winning team of the 2024 season of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), participated in the march.