Potential terror threats have raised alarms for officials as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City draws closer.
A joint threat assessment obtained by ABC News highlighted how the parade may attract both foreign and domestic terroristic violence according to multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the New York Police Department.
Among the most significant threats stem from ‘lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence’, but the document noted there is not a ‘specific, actionable threat’.
Concern was expressed for vehicle ramming, which has become a ‘recurring tactic’ used by terrorists or terrorist groups looking to target crowded areas.
This year marks the 98th year of the annual parade which is set to begin at 8.30am on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at West 77th Street & Central Park West.
‘Though the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade event will provide a broad set of potential soft targets for an attack, congested areas where the largest amount of people gather – particularly designated viewing areas – are likely the most vulnerable spots for a mass casualty attacks,’ the assessment said, according to ABC.
The law enforcement agencies said they ‘remain concerned that malicious actors may seek to engage in public safety disruptions, including attempting to block ingress and egress paths and roadways around the event and major transportation.’
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the New York Police Department, have expressed concerns about potential terror attacks as large crowds are expected come the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The law enforcement agencies said they ‘remain concerned that malicious actors may seek to engage in public safety disruptions, including attempting to block ingress and egress paths and roadways around the event and major transportation’
The parade is expected to draw a large crowd of over two million spectators and 10,000 participants.
It is also expected to feature 10 performance groups, many music stars, 700 clowns, 11 marching bands, all before Santa Claus closes out the celebration.
It was announced, according to NBC News, that new performers for this year’s parade would include Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Billy Porter, and Loud Luxury.
The parade is set to feature over 20 different character balloons including Snoopy, Ronald McDonald and Disney’s Minnie Mouse, and will come to an end at Macy’s Herald Square.
Concern for potential threats comes after pro-Palestinian protestors glued their hands to the pavement along the route, resulting in the arrest of 34 protestors, during the 2023 parade.
The activists had doused themselves in fake blood and forced the parade to continue around their demonstrations while they were heard shouting: ‘Liberation for Palestine and climate.’
Their actions left many furious that the popular fun family event had been dragged into politics – while others commented on how the broadcast coverage appeared to purposefully avoid showing the disruption taking place.
To take extra precautions which will likely be seen this year, NYPD officers were out in force, with officials saying they had stepped up extra ‘robust’ security along the route compared to previous years.
The protest was targeted at US support for Israel, while also linking the crisis in the Middle East to climate change as they shouted: ‘Liberation for Palestine and climate’
Among the most significant threats stem from ‘lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence’, but the document noted there is not a ‘specific, actionable threat’
Before the event was hampered by politics, festivities got off to a bright and sunny start as the city celebrated the 97th edition of Macy’s Thanksgiving parade – although Snoopy fans were left slightly deflated when the air went out of one of the famed giant balloons, causing his hat to sag.
Further deflations hit the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Monkey D. Luffy, after both characters got snagged on overhanging trees and obstacles that popped the huge balloons.
Over three dozen floats, 25 giant balloons and 18 star performers – including Jon Baptiste and Cher – took center stage as the vibrant parade moved through the city, with the first parade floats reaching Midtown Manhattan in the mid-morning.
