Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Protesters glued themselves to the parade route.

November 23, 2023, 2:25 PM

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was temporarily halted when a group of about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters ran into the street and apparently glued themselves to the pavement of the parade route in New York City.

The protesters were demonstrating along Sixth Avenue when a handful of them jumped the barricades and ran into the street along 49th Street.

PHOTO: People demonstrate during the 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 23, 2023.
People demonstrate during the 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 23, 2023.
Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

In videos posted online, protesters can be seen demonstrating on Sixth Avenue near 34th Street.

They chanted "no more nickels, not another dime, no more money for Israel's crimes" and "Free free Palestine." They were also holding up Palestinian flags and papers that said "genocide then, genocide now."

The protesters are later heard yelling, "Viva, viva Palestina."

Officials said the protesters were taken into custody.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden called into the parade to give their thanks and urged Americans to "come together."

"We have to remind ourselves how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth," the president said. "Today is about coming together, giving thanks for this country we call home. And thanks to all the firefighters, police officers, first responders and our troops, some of whom are stationed abroad."

The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1927. It's been a holiday tradition ever since.