An estimated crowd of more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on New York’s 6th Avenue on the evening of Nov. 29, outside the headquarters of the Fox News organization in the Midtown district.
Security in the area was tight, with hundreds of police officers manning barricades around the nearby Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree that was due to be illuminated at 10 p.m.
Authorities prepared for the possibility that the crowd would attempt to disrupt the lighting of the famous tree and used metal barriers keep protesters away from the televised event.
The protesters chanted various slogans such as, “One, Two, Three, Four, Occupation No More,” “Palestine Will Be Free, Cross the River to the Sea,” and “A People United Will Never Be Defeated.”
Eventually, the swelling numbers allowed many to try to break out of the confined area. They pushed barriers back and when police moved to stop them, some were taken away to waiting vans.
At least five people were detained.
The barricades were readjusted, allowing for more protesters, and at one stage, they made a concerted effort to push through to the tree zone.
However, the police lines were strong enough to keep them at bay and, eventually, the crowd turned south and marched away down 6th Avenue.
