Protesters yell ‘free Palestine’ at NYC Easter vigil mass; 3 arrested
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Protesters yelling “free Palestine” interrupted Easter vigil mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Saturday evening – landing three people in cuffs, according to the NYPD.
Midway through a livestream of Saturday’s service, a protester can be heard yelling “free Palestine” as churchgoers turn around in pews and the service continues.
More than 300 arrested in pro-Palestinian protests blocking NYC bridges, Holland Tunnel
Three protesters “barged” into the church on 51st Street about 8:45 p.m. – and all three were arrested and charged with disrupting a religious service, according to the NYPD.
Videos obtained by PIX11 show demonstrators at the front of the cathedral holding a banner that reads “silence = death” before they are ushered out of the building. Throughout the protest, demonstrators are singing.
The protest was purportedly affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, a climate justice organization – and was intended to draw attention to the ongoing violence in Gaza and the climate crisis, the group said in a news release.
A large pro-Palestine protest preceded Saturday’s service in Times Square Saturday, and videos were posted on social media.
A representative of the Archdiocese of New York did not immediately respond to PIX11’s request for comment.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.
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