A PREVIEW FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE?

Massive pro-Palestine protests erupt in New York City: HUNDREDS of demonstrators try to force their way into the World Trade Center as Times Square is taken over

Chants of 'Biden you will see, Palestine will be free' and ' Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids did you kill today?' was part of the rhetoric used 

 

By Stephen M. Lepore  

 

Daily Mail

Dec 28, 2023

 

Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched at Times Square and then in a walk from Zuccotti Park to the World Trade Center Thursday

 

Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched at Times Square and then in a walk from Zuccotti Park to the World Trade Center, continuing protests in a week where anti-Israel marchers have shut down traffic at JFK Airport.

Chants of 'Biden you will see, Palestine will be free' and 'Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids did you kill today?' was part of the rhetoric used by the protesters. 

Effigies representing children killed in Gaza were seen after people took part in silent procession which was organized partly by elderly Jewish groups through Midtown Manhattan earlier Thursday.

The march to the World Trade Center was targeted around the entrance to the Oculus, a massive shopping center that also houses the PATH train.

The rail system carries about 45 million passengers a year between Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark. It is the fifth-most used rail system in America.  

The groups were unequivocal in calling for a ceasefire as Israel continues to fight against Hamas terrorists. 

Dozens of police officers were out at both marches attempting to keep the peace as pro-Israel protesters also made their voices heard. 

It's unclear if any arrests were made or injuries suffered due to the demonstrations. 

The Zuccotti Park protest was deemed an 'emergency' one by the pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime. 

'This is a critical moment to voice our opposition against U.S. funding & support contributing to the genocide of our people,' the group wrote on Instagram. 

'Let's flood the streets of New York City with our message of ending not just the bombs on Gaza, but the siege, blockade, occupation and colonization of all of Palestine.' 

They called the Thursday afternoon march an attempt to 'FLOOD NEW YORK CITY FOR PALESTINE.' 

'We will settle for nothing less than complete liberation from the river to the sea in our pursuit of freedom,' added the organization, who says they are a 'Palestinian-led community organization.'

 

Chants of 'Biden you will see, Palestine will be free' and ' Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids did you kill today?' was part of the rhetoric used by the protesters

Effigies representing children killed in Gaza were seen after people took part in silent procession through Midtown Manhattan earlier Thursday

The groups were unequivocal in calling for a ceasefire as Israel continues to fight against Hamas terrorists

Effigies representing children killed in Gaza are seen after people took part in silent procession through Midtown Manhattan

Protestors, dressed in black and holding shrouded dolls, perform a silent demonstration for children killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Pro-Palestinians demonstrators march demanding a cease fire

The Zuccotti Park protest was deemed an 'emergency' one by the pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime

 

There have been over 500 demonstrations across the city since the Hamas terror attack in Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams, a Democrat, admitted that it was likely that protesters would attempt to disrupt the annual New Years Eve party in Times Square, where over a million people often gather to celebrate at midnight

One protester, Katie Unger, referenced the preparation for the celebration in a post on X as she marched. 

'They are setting up to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square. We are here to insist that the people of Gaza and Palestine too have the right to a thriving living peaceful new year.' 

It comes a day after police arrested pro-Palestinian protesters that blocked entry to New York City's John F. Kennedy airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Travelers were forced to get out of their cars and walk to the airport with their luggage in New York after activist demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war blocked the road leading to one of the country's biggest and busiest airports on Wednesday.

Port Authority Police Department were notified of the protest activity on the Van Wyck Expressway inside JFK airport around 11:30 a.m. 

Police said 26 arrests were made for disorderly conduct and impeding vehicular traffic and the roadway was reopened at 11:50 a.m.

 

The march to the World Trade Center was targeted around the entrance to the Oculus, a massive shopping center that also houses the PATH train

New York Police Officers block an entrance of World Trade Center, while Pro-Palestinians demonstrators march demanding a cease fire

Police arrested 26 pro-Palestinian protesters that blocked entry to New York City 's John F. Kennedy airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year

Port Authority Police said they were called to the scene on the Van Wyck Expressway inside JFK airport around 11:30 a.m. and were able to reopen the road at 11:50 a.m.

Police said 26 arrests were made for disorderly conduct and impeding vehicular traffic

Travelers were forced to get out of their cars and walk to the airport with their luggage

 

'During the disruption, the Port Authority dispatched two airport buses, offering rides to travelers involved in the backup to allow them to reach the airport safely,' said Port Authority media relations. 

Video shows protesters joined hands to create a line blocking traffic while holding signs calling for a free Palestine and chanting 'From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.'

Port Authority Police are seen arresting the demonstrators and loading them onto an airport bus and taking them into custody. 

In Los Angeles, video shows protesters gathering near the LAX sign at the airport.

Los Angeles Police Department said, 'The LAPD is aware of an ongoing protest within the LAX area. Traffic in the area is currently impacted. Please avoid the area and continue to monitor for updates.'

FOX 11 reported authorities declared an unlawful assembly when the pro-Palestine protesters blocked traffic outside the Los Angeles International Airport.

 

A dozen protesters were detained outside Los Angeles International Airport while blocking off entry to the airport

 

'Crew at the scene said the group of protesters carried signs that read messages such as 'Ceasefire is not enough,' and 'Free Palestine,'' said FOX 11.

It turned into a chaotic scene when police arrived around 9:30 a.m. and protesters reportedly ran off into different directions while some were taken into custody. Officials said by 10:10 a.m. a dozen protesters were detained.

Video showed heavy traffic along Century Boulevard and travelers were encouraged to use Sepulveda Blv, Arbor Vitae Street and Airport Way as alternatives. Century Boulevard has since reopened but traffic is reported to remain heavy.

Around 39 million passengers are expected to jet to destinations during the next two weeks, with airports preparing to receive up to 2.5 million every day.

The TSA expects a six per cent increase on the number of passengers compared to last year, with the busiest days projected to be December 21, 29, and January 1.