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NYC Rings in 2024 with Revelry and Protest: A Tale of Contrasting Moments
Edited by: Fern Sidman
New York City ushered in the new year with a spectacular celebration in Times Square, drawing hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic revelers to welcome 2024. As was reported by The New York Post, the iconic ball drop, adorned with 2,688 crystal triangles, marked the transition from 2023 to 2024, accompanied by Frank Sinatra’s timeless rendition of “New York, New York.” As 3,000 pounds of confetti rained down on the lively crowd, the atmosphere in Times Square was described as nothing short of magical, the report added.
I’m officially LIT! 🪩 In position and ready for my big moment. Tune in to https://t.co/WjgXHxt2AS to party with live performances, special guests, and more all night long! #BallDrop pic.twitter.com/x8Sk7OAPOI
— Times Square Ball (@timessquareball) December 31, 2023
Corin Christian from Charlotte, North Carolina captured the sentiment as he exclaimed, “It’s beautiful,” moments past midnight, according to the Post report. Tyrell Jacobs and Sarah Crayton, arriving from New Orleans just 15 hours before the new year, marveled at the vibrant array of strangers donning tall hats and wielding noisemakers. The report in the Post said that Crayton described the experience as a “must-see,” urging others to partake in the magic at least once.
Colorful @planetfitness confetti floating all around me can only mean one thing — we’re REEEAAADY! 🎉 Only 2 hours left til 2024! #BallDrop #NewYearsEve #TimesSquare pic.twitter.com/7Z36NBlX8D
— Times Square Ball (@timessquareball) January 1, 2024
Throngs of people had claimed their spots early in the day, securing positions in NYPD-barricaded pens to witness performances by LL Cool J and Megan Thee Stallion leading up to the midnight countdown. The Post report indicated that Markus Washington, a first-time attendee from Brooklyn, expressed the overwhelming positivity of the experience, calling it “awesome” despite the chilly weather.
Happy 2024! May all your wishes and dreams come true in the new year. #TimesSquare #newyears #NewYears2024 #nyc #newyorkcity #balldrop pic.twitter.com/SYn34hR79r
— Michael Abbott Jr. (@mykabit) January 1, 2024
Antonio Ruiz, who flew in from Spain, fulfilled a lifelong dream by being part of the iconic Times Square celebration. “Since I was a kid, I saw on TV this is a spectacular show, so I had to live it,” he told the Post.
However, amidst the jubilation, the specter of global conflicts loomed over certain parts of Manhattan. Pro-Hamas protestors took to the streets, drawing attention to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The war began when Hamas terrorists from Gaza invaded Israel and brutally massacred 1200 Israelis and others. The report in the Post said that the police presence was notably robust, with Mayor Eric Adams implementing heightened security measures, creating a “buffer zone” around the celebration area.
As the clock struck midnight at #TimesSquare for #NewYear2024, activists unfurled a banner reading ‘Collective Struggle, Collective Liberation’ and chanted calls for #FreePalestine and #CeasefireNow.
Revelers coalesced around the banner to take photos of (and with) it. pic.twitter.com/nvR0HzjDmW
— Talia Jane ❤️🔥 (@taliaotg) January 1, 2024
Protesters marched through different sections of the city, casting a shadow over the festivities. Mayor Adams had earlier reassured the public that there were no specific threats targeting Times Square, but the security apparatus remained vigilant. According to the report in the Post, the conflict in the Middle East brought a somber note to the celebrations, with demonstrations taking place in and around the Square.
RIGHT NOW: People are getting screened by security in preparing to watch the ball drop in New York City.#NewYorkCity #NewYork #TimesSquare #NewYear2024 pic.twitter.com/kKvsnj4sXs
— Shaquille Omari (@shaq_omari) December 31, 2023
As the ball dropped, approximately 50 protesters occupied Grand Central Station’s main hall, while others set off a smoke bomb in Macy’s at Herald Square, as was noted in the Post report. Law enforcement sources reported at least one arrest at 39th Street and Broadway on Sunday evening. The NYPD, however, did not provide information on any additional arrests in the early hours of Monday morning.
Pro-Hamas protesters march towards Times Square to disrupt the New Year’s Eve ball drop.
Because, clearly, the best way to gain support for homicidal genocidal #HamasRapists is by pissing off a bunch of New Yorkers who survived 9/11. #NYE2023 #TimesSquare#Hamas_is_ISIS pic.twitter.com/ocIFEy09Tn
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) January 1, 2024
The contrasting moments of celebration and protest on New Year’s Eve in New York City underscored the complex tapestry of emotions and events shaping the beginning of 2024.
#HappyNewYear
Pro-Palestinian / Pro-Hamas / Anti-Western World protestors headed to #NYC #TimesSquare for tonight’s New Years Eve ball drop. pic.twitter.com/K17XaGbNc1— RawNews1st (@Raw_News1st) January 1, 2024
