Pro-Palestinian protesters tried to play the role of Grinch when they crashed a Christmas caroling tradition at Washington Square Park Sunday night – but holiday revelers were undeterred as they sang themselves “hoarse” during the dueling events.
Some demonstrators circled their cars around the iconic Big Apple park, blaring music and honking their horns while dozens of others chanted on the sidewalk as carolers gathered to sing holiday favorites on Christmas Eve.
One defiant protester even stood on top of a massive SUV with monster car wheels as he waved the Palestinian flag.
With carolers packed tightly into the park, protesters attempted to make their presence known on the perimeter of the park.
The disruption was part of a full day of demonstrators driving in car caravans across the tri-state area.
“No celebration, ’til liberation,” a caption read on an Instagram story showing the Washington Square protest from the pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime’s social media account.
Pro-Palestinian protestors gather during a rally at Washington Square Park on Sunday. James Keivom
The protest was part of a full-day car caravan of disruption across the tri-state area. James Keivom
Protesters waving flags and holding up signs at Washington Square Park. James Keivom
But Christmas carolers, while annoyed, remained in the holiday spirit.
“They disrupted, we sang louder,” Ed Cooper, 76, told The Post.
“We weren’t going to let them make this their night. Yeah, it was annoying, but Christmas for me is about making the negative into a positive.”
The carolers were undeterred by the protests on Sunday and only sang louder. James Keivom
A protester and an individual are seen face to face at Washington Square Park. James Keivom
One caroler was in favor of a cease-fire, but thought the protesters were “jerks.” James Keivom
“I heard that honking and that loud music and said to myself, this is God’s way of telling me I’m not caroling loudly enough. I sang myself hoarse,” the Scranton, Pennsylvania resident said.
Another caroler, Shannon, of the West Village, said while she is in favor of a cease-fire, she thought the protesters were “jerks” for interfering with the event.
“Carolers of all races and persuasions are caroling together in the spirit of the holidays, and these jerks are driving around with music blasting out of massive speakers and honking their horns incessantly as a tactic to what – annoy the everloving s–t out of people whose support they’re trying to win? I really don’t understand it,” said Shannon, who did not want to give her last name.
“I’m fairly young, and apparently a lot of people my age think killing Christmas for a cause is badass. I find it misguided and counterproductive. I don’t think anybody who came out tonight is now more likely to come out for Palestine.”
The city has been roiled with pro-Palestinian protests since the deadly Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel, leading the Jewish state to launch a military campaign in Gaza.
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