Pro-Palestinian protestors scale 83-tall Christmas tree in San Francisco’s Union Square to demand ‘no Christmas as usual’

A pro-Palestinian protester climbed an 83-foot-tall Christmas tree with a “Free Palestine” sign in San Francisco’s Union Square during protests in a shopping district that ended with several people in handcuffs.

The identity of the climber has not been revealed, but the video shows the man scaling a huge spruce tree around 2pm on Saturday as onlookers cheer and cheer, demanding a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of people gathered in a busy shopping area calling for “not to spend Christmas as usual”.

San Francisco police handcuffed some protesters and arrested four people for various crimes, including assault and felony vandalism causing property damage. News KRON4 reported.

The Palestinian flag was also placed prominently in the center of the Christmas tree, which was decorated with ornaments and lights.

A protester climbs an 83-foot-tall spruce tree in San Francisco holding a “Free Palestine” sign.

San Francisco police arrested several protesters in Union Square over the weekend.

Among the protesters were women with children. One of the signs, held by a young girl (pictured), featured a child’s drawing with the inscription “Foundation for Child Care, Not War.”

The city’s Department of Emergency Management posted an advisory on its social media platforms warning the public to avoid the area. NBC Bay Area News reported.

The march, which began on Market Street and moved to Union Square before heading to other parts of the crime-plagued downtown, included a variety of groups.

Many protesters called for the release of those arrested.

It is unclear what actions by the protesters led to their arrest.

The protest was described as largely peaceful, with many holding signs that read: “No US military aid,” “No Christmas as usual during genocide,” and “The word stands with Palestine.”

Some of the protesters were mothers with their young children.

In the photo, a young girl holds a cardboard sign with a drawing that reads: “Foundation for Child Care, Not War.”

Saturday’s protest, which drew hundreds of people, was described as largely peaceful.

The protest began Saturday afternoon with people marching down Market Street and downtown San Francisco.

Protester Rami Abel Karim, who attended Saturday’s rally, told NBC that in light of recent attacks in the Gaza Strip, holiday celebrations will not be held this year.

“Palestinian Christians do not believe it is right to celebrate this Christmas while our community and Palestine are under bombing and military occupation,” he said.

Officials said the situation was resolved only by 6 p.m.

The names of those arrested have not been disclosed.

The protests in San Francisco followed similar gatherings in New York on Saturday.

Huge crowds of people were seen moving along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and another protest also affected the largest shopping center on Long Island, chanting: “The people are united.”

The large figures of President Biden and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, covered in blood, walked past shops on Fifth Avenue as the sidewalks were clogged with families carrying Christmas gifts.

Some of the activists appeared to belong to the groups Mothers for Justice in Palestine and the Long Island chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which this week shared on Instagram plans to “condemn corporations that profit from their ties to the government.” apartheid.”

According to a purported press release about the demonstrations, the goal of the rally is to “encourage holiday shoppers to engage in a targeted boycott this holiday season.”

Crowds of people were seen filling shopping centers and unfurling large banners with the names of organizations believed to be working with Israel.