The unruly march on Christmas Day in Manhattan saw the arrest of six pro-Palestinian protesters, who carried a blood-red Nativity scene while chanting that Christmas was "canceled."

The chaotic demonstration unfolded at the News Corp headquarters on Sixth Avenue, housing prominent media outlets like The Post, Fox News, and the Wall Street Journal.

Six pro-Palestinian protesters charged over Christmas Day rampage through NYC https://t.co/d8gM9FQ1jF pic.twitter.com/WgoRAfcwv3

— New York Post (@nypost) December 26, 2023

The details

The protesters, approximately 500 strong, brandished Palestinian flags and exhibited signs with provocative messages condemning the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The arrested individuals, aged between 18 and 50, faced charges such as making graffiti, menacing and disorderly conduct.

Among them, Cisse Muktar, 18, from the Bronx, was scheduled to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges including menacing, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstructing governmental administration.

Others, including Bah Safiatou, 19, from the Bronx, and Jayda Torres, 23, from Brooklyn, were arrested on counts of making graffiti, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct. The two older Mohammeds, 50 and 24 years old, from Brooklyn, faced charges of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct.

Interrupting the holidays

The protesters' march disrupted traffic and impacted holiday festivities in Manhattan. Incendiary signs, including one proclaiming "While Ur Shopping Bombs are Dropping," and another on a massive portable Nativity scene splattered with what appeared to be fake blood and declaring "No Joy in Genocide," added a confrontational tone to the demonstration.

Some protesters were observed trampling on the Israeli flag.

The group, many wearing traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, moved from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to Grand Central Terminal, allegedly causing disturbances outside St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The demonstration even left behind stickers at the Union Square Holiday Market proclaiming "Zionism is Terrorism," underscoring the controversial nature of the protest and its impact on public spaces during the holiday season.

The problems

“The genocidal Israeli assault on Gaza is continuing with incredible cruelty,” the activist group’s website read.

“This Christmas, occupation forces are sniping Christians sheltering in their besieged churches in Gaza and Christians in Bethlehem have declared that their celebrations are canceled. People everywhere must continue to declare that there can be no Christmas as usual during a genocide!” it added.

The protests also occurred in other places across the nation, including a "die-in" in front of the home of Sen. Ron Wyden in Oregon.

The protests may draw attention to the issue of Palestinians in Gaza but are also committing crimes in the process in some cases, further adding to the problems caused by Hamas in its recent attacks against Israel.