Protesters disturbed an Easter Vigil at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Saturday night, shouting their support for Palestine.
Thousands of climate and pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Time Square over the weekend to demand a lasting cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The demonstrators ended up at Saturday night’s Easter Vigil in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as shown in videos shared on social media.
The protesters could be heard chanting, “Free, free Palestine” while displaying a banner with the message, “SILENCE=DEATH.” The sign also featured the Extinction Rebellion symbol along with an olive tree.
The mass was led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York. Cathedral members hurried to remove the protesters from the service while other attendees attempted to ignore the protests.
Watch the interaction below:
NEW: Pro-Palestine protesters take over Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
“Free, free Palestine” chants began going off during the second reading.
Protesters rushed to the front and held up a banner that read: ‘SILENCE = DEATH’
The protesters were… pic.twitter.com/85gaxnGDGA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 31, 2024
Pope Francis appealed for peace in Gaza and release of Israel hostages before tens of thousands of worshippers outside the Vatican during Sunday morning Mass on Easter
“My thoughts go especially to the victims of the many conflicts worldwide, starting with those in Israel and Palestine, and in Ukraine,” said the pope. “May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the war-torn peoples of those regions. In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, all for the sake of all!”
