Pro-Palestinian protesters caused disruptions at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, attracting attention and creating controversy. The parade, which is a beloved American tradition, was temporarily halted by around 30 demonstrators who glued their hands to the ground on 6th Avenue. The protesters, wearing white jumpsuits with words like "colonialism," "imperialism," and “consumerism” written on them, poured fake blood over themselves and their slogans as they chanted pro-Palestinian messages.

The group of protesters made their way into the middle of the parade just before 11 am, jumping over barricades and running onto the street where the parade procession was taking place. As they marched down 6th Avenue, in front of floats and large displays, they chanted phrases such as "There's an ongoing genocide and our planet is dying" and "We need a ceasefire." The disruption caused a swarm of NYPD officers to remove the protesters from the street, allowing the parade to continue. However, moving the glued-down demonstrators proved to be more challenging than expected, with one protester reportedly saying, "I'm glued down. I can't get up."

The protesters were met with mixed reactions from the parade crowd, with some onlookers expressing support, while others responded with boos. Additional protesters who had infiltrated the parade procession wore t-shirts that read "Stop the Genocide" and carried a banner stating "Genocide then. Genocide now." It is unclear whether these protesters were affiliated with the group that glued themselves to the ground.

Prior to the parade disruption, a larger protest of approximately 400 people gathered in Madison Square Park, from which the demonstrators emerged. The protest aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and demand a ceasefire. The demonstration at the parade followed a series of pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place in various US cities and college campuses in recent weeks.

In another act of protest, an individual aboard a float representing the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, also known as the People of the First Light, raised a Palestinian flag during the parade's television broadcast. The float, which symbolized the promise of the future guided by shared heritage, was passing Macy's flagship store on 34th Street when the flag was unfurled.

The presence of pro-Palestinian protesters at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade reflects the wider political tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Security measures were reportedly increased for this year's parade, as well as in airports and shopping malls across the United States, in response to rising Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Despite the disruptions, the parade continued as planned, showcasing floats, balloons, and bands. New York Mayor Eric Adams had expressed his determination to prevent any protests from causing harm or property damage, stating, "You're not going to destroy property, you're not going to injure people." President Joe Biden also weighed in on the demonstrations during an interview with NBC, emphasizing the need for unity and decency during these challenging times. It remains unclear how many individuals were arrested as a result of the parade disruptions.