Pro-Palestine protestors clashed with NYPD officers in ugly scenes in New York City as Christmas Day was marred by demonstrations against Israel in several US cities.
The NYPD confirmed to DailyMail.com it has moved to ‘Level Three’ police mobilization to combat the protests. A number of arrests are believed to have been made, however the number could not be confirmed as the situation is ‘ongoing.’
Footage from the streets of Manhattan showed furious protestors facing off with a large police presence, with the crowds heard earlier in the day chanting, ‘Long live the intifada.’
Demonstrators also descended on the homes of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan as they marked the holiday season with their families inside.
In one clip shared to social media, protestors filled the opulent Washington neighborhood of the Defense Secretary as they sang: ‘Austin, Austin, rise and shine, no sleep during genocide.’
Huge crowds filled the streets of Manhattan on Christmas Day to protest the US support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas
New Yorkers saw their Christmas marred by demonstrations, which included chants of ‘one wish for Christmas, long live resistance’
Pro-Palestine protestors descended on the homes of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan as they celebrated Christmas with their families
The pro-Palestine protests came as organizers vowed to ‘cancel’ Christmas celebrations while Israel continues its onslaught on Gaza, calling ‘for mobilization not celebration.’
A flyer purporting to be from the organizers in New York called on people to gather outside the Newscorp building – home of Fox News – and to ‘bring your flags, signs, keffiyehs and materials to build a nativity scene.’
Later in the day, a bright red nativity scene emblazoned with ‘no joy in genocide’ was became a central part of the protest as it travelled through Manhattan.
Protestors chanted ‘one wish for Christmas, long live resistance’ and ‘no more money for Israel’s crimes’, while a large police presence lined the streets and stationed outside key landmarks to control the masses.
At one point, the crowd directly targeted near to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, at the same time tourists walked along Fifth Avenue.
The same spot had previously been targeted by pro-Palestine protestors a month ago, where hostile scenes erupted as New Yorkers marked the annual tree lighting.
The demonstration appeared to turn hostile as the group moved to Grand Central, which previously had to be closed down in November after pro-Palestine protestors stormed the building.
The group also declared a day of protests in New York City, calling for ‘mobilization not celebration’ and to bring ‘materials to build a nativity scene’
A bright red nativity scene reading ‘no joy in genocide’ was a central part of the protest as it moved through the Big Apple on Christmas Day
A pro-Palestine protestor holds a sign reading ‘while ur shopping, bombs are dropping’ at the protest in New York City
Outside of Austin and Sullivan’s respective homes, protestors shut down their opulent neighborhoods as they blasted their demands over megaphones.
‘Austin, we are at your gate,’ they said in one clip. ‘Justice is our only fate.’
The groups carried signs declaring that ‘Palestine will be free’, and spoke from blood-covered podiums listing defense and weapons contractors including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.
Austin and Sullivan’s homes were targeted as the Biden administration continues to stand by Israel as it carries out retaliatory strikes on Gaza.
The protests appear to have been organized by The People’s Forum, which shared at around 11am on Christmas morning that it was celebrating a ‘morning wake-up in Lloyd Austin’s neighborhood.’
‘We’re going to head to a second location to protest at another war criminal’s house,’ the group added at the time, as attendees were seen with a sign reading: ‘Genocide Joe – you have blood on your hands.’
Shortly after, the group shared an image of Sullivan with a red line across his eyes as it vowed there would be ‘no Xmas as usual for war criminals.’
‘This AM, protestors woke up (Austin) as he tried to go on with his xmas while arming & supporting zionist genocide against the Palestinian people,’ the group said.
‘Now, we disrupt ANOTHER war criminal: (Sullivan). The people say NO XMAS AS USUAL!’
The protests were organized by The People’s Forum, which said it targeted National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan because he is a ‘war criminal’
Protestors spoke from blood-soaked podiums emblazoned with the names of weapons and defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin
The protests appear to be organized by activist group ‘The People’s Forum’, which has frequently called to ‘shut it down for Palestine’ by disrupting public events in recent weeks
A female protestor demonstrates in New York City with a sign calling for Israel to ‘Stop Bombing Civilians’
The People’s Forum has been behind a number of protests in America since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out, frequently calling to ‘shut it down for Palestine’ by disrupting public events.
Last month, it was revealed that the group is being financed by a Connecticut tech investor and his wife, who have reportedly funneled at least $20 million into the group’s activities.
After it’s Christmas Day protests, the organization announced it is staging another round of demonstrations on New Years Eve.
‘There can be no holiday celebrations as usual while a genocide takes place in real time,’ the group said.
‘The people will take to the streets on New Year’s Eve calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the brutal Zionist occupation.’