By Social Links forGeorgett Roberts , 
Social Links forJack Morphet , 
Social Links forCarl Campanile and Social Links forIsabel Keane
Published Nov. 23, 2023
Updated Nov. 23, 2023, 4:43 p.m. ET

Excited New Yorkers and tourists packed the Big Apple sidewalks Thursday for the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — only for the festivities to grind to a halt when anti-Israel protestors glued their hands to the middle of 6th Avenue and covered themselves in fake blood. 

The time-honored tradition kicked off on 77th and Central Park West at 8:30 a.m. to the boisterous cheers of bundled-up spectators waiting to catch a glimpse of classic balloons like Snoopy and Pikachu, as well as six new floats, including a Wonka-inspired chocolate float.

However, the family fun was abruptly interrupted at 11 a.m. when several protesters – wearing white jumpsuits emblazoned with inflammatory slogans such as “colonialism,” “ethnic cleansing” and “fascism” – forced the parade to be temporarily halted.

The demonstrators marched down 6th Avenue grasping a large sign reading, “Liberation for Palestine and Planet” and shouting anti-Israel slogans.

“Free Palestine! From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” one of the protesters yelled, using a phrase widely accepted to be an antisemitic call to eradicate Israel.

Several then pretended to be dead on the ground while others walked around pouring fake blood over their heads – as a loud chorus of “boos” came from parade spectators.
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