MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

'They have zero respect for anyone': Outrage as pro-Palestinian protesters clash with police near NYC's Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

Chaos broke out at Rockefeller Center's annual tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, when demonstrators clashed with NYPD officers

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A wave of outrage sparked online after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters apparently caused chaos on the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center in an effort to derail the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Thousands had gathered to watch the 91st annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on Wednesday, November 29, when demonstrators tried to push their way north toward the tree after rallying for at least an hour outside the News Corp building at 47th and Sixth Streets, as per ABC News.

After ralliers pushed their way through the crowd, NYPD officers ran through Sixth Avenue, where they engaged in a confrontation off 47th Street, a few blocks from the Rockefeller Center tree lighting.

"This is the ebb and flow of protests. We try to keep it calm, we let them move, and we let them exercise their right. Sometimes things get a little hectic, but we're gonna do our best out here to keep everybody safe," said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, as per CBS News.

Chaos at the NYC tree lighting ceremony

Along Sixth Avenue, protestors waved Palestinian flags and held posters demanding an "end to genocide," joining throngs of tourists awaiting entrance to the famous ceremony.

"Free free Palestine!" chanted many protestors while some yelled "River to the Sea," which is long seen as an antisemitic slogan.

During the chaos, a protester was seen scaling the building's address pillar, and another was captured waving a large placard with a swastika that made comparisons between the Israel Defense Forces and the Nazis in Germany.

As seen in videos, crowds repeatedly retaliated against NYPD police by pushing back, accusing them of being "f**king Nazis." Moreover, attempts were made by the demonstrators to topple the barriers that the police put up to keep them apart from the masses of people who were eager to witness the New York holiday customs.

Law enforcement sources told The New York Post that more NYPD units were called to the scene after officers were attacked by the demonstrators. One cop caught in the fray said, "They should have shut it down. They lost control of the street. I was shoved, punched, kicked. It’s bulls**t."

A clip making rounds on social media also showed one protestor holding an officer’s burning hat. Several demonstrators were seen being taken into custody, though it’s not clear whether they were charged.

Internet fumes over the chaos at Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 

After the videos of disorder around the tree lighting surfaced on social media, many users came forward to express their outrage over the situation.

One wrote, "This is crazy! How do they even allow those people to protest there?" while another said, "This is ridiculous and this to happen for a Christmas event speaks volumes."

"It is about being disruptive and taking rights away from people they don’t agree with," noted a person, with someone else saying, "Current situation is getting out of control as the police getting outnumbered. Military personnel may be deployed if things get worse."

"They have zero respect for anyone, including their self-respect. Take them to jail all who create chaos or are violent," asserted a user. 

One more noted, "Now they’re coming after citizens trying to peacefully celebrate Christmas. It won’t end there."