Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Holiday Events in NYC and Chicago
Protests in support of Palestinian causes took place during the Christmas holiday season in various locations around the world, leading to disruptions of holiday events and confrontations with law enforcement. In New York City, demonstrators, led by the Palestinian-led group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), marched to sites like Rockefeller Center, where they carried a mock Nativity scene stained with fake blood and clashed with police. At least six individuals were arrested near Grand Central Station and Union Square after altercations with the NYPD, with one officer reportedly sustaining a shoulder injury.
The protests extended beyond New York, with actions reported in Chicago, where activists briefly shut down Interstate 90 and demonstrated outside local lawmakers' homes. Additionally, a crowd in suburban Memphis disrupted Christmas shopping, highlighting the global reach of these demonstrations. Similar protests have been ongoing in response to the Israel-Hamas war, which has seen significant Palestinian casualties.
In Australia, a Christmas community fundraiser for blind children, Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, was disrupted by protesters who raised Palestinian flags and chanted about Gaza before being removed by security. The fundraiser, which is a significant annual event for children's services for the blind or those with low vision, was broadcast live and attended by about 10,000 people. The protest actions have sparked varied reactions on social media, with some criticizing the disruption of charitable events.
