Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches on despite protest and dreary weather in NYC

NEW YORK — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade formally kicked off the vacation season Thursday in New York Metropolis. 

A steady rain fell over the festivities, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators briefly disrupted the parade for a second year in a row. 

The NYPD stated 25 individuals had been arrested after sitting down on the parade route with Palestinian flags and a banner studying, “Do not Have fun Genocide.” All of them had been charged with trespassing and obtained summonses. 

Regardless of the dreary climate, CBS Information New York’s Jenna DeAngelis reported it did not get in the way in which of the magic. 

“You’re feeling it and overlook about it, so we’re glad to be right here,” stated one one that traveled from Baltimore. 

Linwood Burden, who’s 72 years previous, got here from Georgia to test the parade off his bucket record . 

“I am so enthusiastic about being right here, the climate’s no drawback,” she stated. “Ever since I used to be a child, I wished to be right here, so this is a chance.”

The annual holiday tradition stepped off at 8:30 a.m. from Central Park West, then marched down Sixth Avenue to Macy’s flagship retailer at Herald Sq.. 

It featured greater than 5,000 volunteers, 34 fan-favorite floats and 22 giant balloons, together with some newcomers like Minnie Mouse and Marshall from “PAW Patrol.” One new float celebrated the Bronx Zoo’s a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary with a tiger, giraffe, zebra and gorilla.

There was additionally an look from the WNBA champion New York Liberty and, after all, the one and solely Santa Claus. 

“Simply being right here with the individuals I like, celebrating Thanksgiving with all these individuals, and I’ve to thank the NYPD for retaining us protected immediately,” stated Nanuet resident Shane Cullen. 

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Wednesday there have been no credible threats in opposition to the parade, however law enforcement agencies would be prepared to keep people safe.

The town’s new police commissioner hung out Thursday thanking the officers who had been on obligation.

“I began my profession as an intelligence analyst on the NYPD and have unbelievable intelligence analysts working right here,” Tisch stated.

The parade has solely been canceled thrice — from 1942 to 1944 throughout World Conflict II. The large balloon characters aren’t allowed to fly if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or gusts are over 35 mph, however winds stayed round 10 mph Thursday morning.

Following the parade, the Sanitation Division, utilizing 32 hand brooms, 29 mechanical brooms, 23 backpack blowers and 23 assortment vehicles, carried out a swift cleanup. Final 12 months, it eliminated greater than 65 tons of particles. 

Jenna DeAngelis

Jenna DeAngelis is an Emmy award profitable journalist. She joined CBS Information New York as a normal project reporter in March 2018.