By The newspaper
Nov 30, 2023, 02:19 AM EST
As expected, yesterday was a very congested day in Midtown Manhattan (NYC) because the street closure for the lighting ceremony of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree – considered the most famous in the world – was taken advantage of by pro-Palestine protesters.
After rallying for at least an hour in front of the News Corp building at 47th Street and 6th Avenue, at least 500 protesters unfurled a large Palestinian flag and briefly attempted to make their way north, en route to Rockefeller Center, but a line Police and barricades were waiting for them.
Stopped in their tracks, the group changed course, which caused a crowd, fights and some arrests, he summarized. ABCNews. Finally they marched south along 6th Avenue.
Protests were expected, but the New York police said they would not allow any demonstrations to disrupt the thousands-strong celebration that usually marks the start of the city’s Christmas season. It is also a show televised live by NBC to the entire country: “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.”
“We allow people to exercise their first amendment, but in no way do we allow anyone to come here to commit hate, commit crimes or assault,” warned NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.
Ahead of the 91st annual celebration, police prepared for the possibility of additional security threats this year: New York being the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and also home to the United Nations (UN). , has been the scene of constant protests and arrests since the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group began on October 7.
Street closures for cars around Rockefeller Center also went into effect Wednesday. No vehicles will be allowed between 11 a.m. and midnight, opening the cross roads at 48th and 51st Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues to pedestrians to view the tree and enjoy the other festive locations this holiday season. Those changes will remain in effect until New Year’s Day.
The area is also complicated by visitors to the nearby St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the ice rink at the foot of the large Christmas tree and the surrounding display cases and decorations, including the projections made by the Saks 5th Av store on its facade. And on that same block the famous Radio City Rockettes show is presented, with several shows a day.
The planned protests that unfolded last night called on demonstrators to “flood the tree lighting in support of Gaza.” According to a New York Police Department threat assessment obtained by ABC News“The United States continues to face a dynamic, high-risk environment from a variety of extremists amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, and malicious actors may view mass gatherings, landmarks, and high-profile events as targets of opportunity during the Christmas season.”
In addition, authorities always ask New Yorkers and tourists to be alert about thefts in the area, especially of wallets, bags and cell phones.
The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is an 80-year-old Norway spruce that measures 80 feet tall and 43 feet wide. More than 50,000 multicolored LEDs were strung along approximately 5 miles of wire to adorn the tree, topped with a 9-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star covered in 3 million crystals.