For the second year in a row, anti-Israel protesters disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, stopping the iconic Ronald McDonald balloon in its tracks at W. 55th Street and Sixth Avenue. The stunt drew loud boos and chants of “USA! USA!” from enraged parade-goers.
The protesters, holding a banner reading “Don’t celebrate genocide!” and chanting “Free, free Palestine!” were swiftly tackled by NYPD officers. Over 20 arrests were made, with dramatic footage showing protesters scuffling with police and being thrown to the ground before being handcuffed.
Mayor Eric Adams had issued a stern warning ahead of the parade, vowing that protesters wouldn’t “disrupt the joy” of the event after last year’s chaos, when some glued their hands to the route.
After a brief delay, the parade resumed with the balloon line leader rallying the crowd: “Ronald McDonald, everybody!” The protesters may have halted the parade momentarily, but their attempt to hijack the holiday was quickly quashed by police.
