Many participants wore keffiyehs and face masks, prompting Jewish groups to advocate for a law banning masks at public gatherings to aid in prosecuting hate crimes.

Heightened security measures were in place due to the recent attack in New Orleans, with police prepared for potential conflicts.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that police were on high alert for potential threats during the protest, which was monitored by NYPD counter-terrorism units.

Protesters displayed signs with messages like 'Zionism is a cancer' and 'End all U.S. aid to Israel', reflecting strong anti-Israel sentiments.

The term 'Intifada,' meaning 'uprising' in Arabic, was a focal point of the rally, referencing the Second Intifada marked by violent attacks in the early 2000s.

On January 1, 2025, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered in Times Square, New York City, calling for an 'intifada revolution' shortly after a deadly terrorist incident in New Orleans.

This protest coincided with a tragic car attack in New Orleans that resulted in at least 15 deaths, including injuries to two Israelis.

New York Congressman Ritchie Torres criticized the protesters for failing to condemn the New Orleans attack, suggesting their focus was misdirected towards anti-U.S. and anti-Israel sentiments.

The protest was organized by groups such as the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, with attendees chanting slogans promoting resistance and honoring martyrs.

Tensions escalated as a small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters waved Israeli and American flags, leading to aggressive exchanges and heckling between the two groups.

In the wake of the New Orleans attack, President Joe Biden condemned the incident as 'despicable' and noted that investigators were looking into possible connections to other incidents.

Speakers at the rally encouraged attendees to renew their commitment to anti-Israel activism, labeling 2024 a year of struggle against what they termed 'the crime of Zionism.'