The NYPD says 34 people were arrested Thursday in connection with protests that briefly disrupted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at various points. Some pro-Palestinian protesters jumped barricades and glued themselves to Sixth Avenue CNN reports. The protesters, who wore jumpsuits covered in fake blood, glued themselves to the street in front of a float carrying McDonald's characters, reports the AP. The protesters held a banner that said "Free Palestine" and "Genocide then. Genocide now."
More protesters held banners and Palestinian flags along the parade route. The New York Times reports that protesters flooded the streets around the Jennie-O "Big Turkey Spectacular" float after the parade finished. Police tell the Washington Post that of the 34 people arrested, 30 of them were issued summons for trespassing. Another four were charged with offenses including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after allegedly spray-painting "Free Palestine" on the pillars of the New York Public Library's main branch.
New York Public Library spokesperson Jennifer Fermino tells the Post that the library "strongly supports the right to protest," but that it will be expensive to repair the "shameful act of vandalism" at a time when the library system is facing deep budget cuts. (More Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade stories.)