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The chilling juxtaposition of a violent terrorist attack in New Orleans and an incendiary protest in Times Square on New Year’s Day should send shockwaves through every level of government, law enforcement, and society. As The New York Post has reported, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered in the heart of New York City, chanting slogans associated with revolutionary violence and spewing inflammatory rhetoric that openly called for uprising and glorified martyrdom. The question every American should be asking now is: Who is monitoring these groups, and how long will we tolerate this unchecked extremism?
At the Times Square protest, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and The People’s Forum, chants of “There is only one solution: Intifada revolution” rang out through the city. As The New York Post noted, the term intifada has historically referred to violent uprisings against Israel, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. When protestors in one of America’s most iconic public spaces call for intifada while waving Palestinian flags and shouting about “martyrs,” it’s not just an exercise of free speech—it’s a dangerous flirtation with violent extremism.
Compounding this abhorrent display was a viral video reported by The New York Post, showing a demonstrator shouting at counter-protesters: “We’re sending you back to Europe, you white b–ches. Go back to Europe!” Such racially charged, hate-filled rhetoric has no place in any civil society, let alone at a protest supposedly advocating for human rights.
The demonstration took place just hours after a terrorist, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck bearing an ISIS flag into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans, killing at least 15 people and injuring many more. As The New York Post reported, Jabbar—a U.S.-born military veteran—had a complex and concerning history, including a recent trip to Egypt and residence near a Houston mosque. Authorities are still investigating whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices.
The chilling timing of these two events—a terror attack fueled by extremist ideology and a demonstration glorifying revolutionary violence—should not be ignored. It begs the question: Are sleeper cells operating within the U.S., quietly waiting to unleash chaos on American soil?
According to The New York Post, federal authorities, including the FBI, are investigating whether links exist between the New Orleans attacker and extremist networks. However, what remains unclear is whether the Times Square protest and its organizers are under similar scrutiny.
Groups openly advocating for “intifada revolution” and calling to “honor martyrs” must be thoroughly investigated. Law enforcement agencies should determine if there are any organizational or financial links between these protest groups and known extremist movements. Failure to act swiftly and decisively could create an environment ripe for radicalization, where protests become incubators for domestic terrorism.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that extremism thrives when left unchecked. The 9/11 attacks were carried out by individuals who operated in plain sight, their intentions largely missed or ignored until it was too late. As The New York Post rightly emphasizes, the current climate—marked by rising tensions in the Middle East and the increased presence of extremist rhetoric on U.S. soil—makes the threat of another large-scale terrorist attack disturbingly plausible.
Federal agencies must prioritize monitoring groups that promote revolutionary violence and radical ideologies. This isn’t about infringing on free speech—it’s about protecting the lives of innocent civilians.
Equally concerning is the silence from many political leaders and mainstream media outlets. As The New York Post has highlighted, these demonstrators aren’t just expressing political opinions—they are glorifying violence, martyrdom, and ideologies that have historically led to the loss of countless lives.
Why aren’t more elected officials condemning these protests? Where is the bipartisan outrage? And why isn’t this receiving wall-to-wall coverage from the media? When such displays of extremism are ignored—or worse, excused under the guise of free speech—we risk normalizing dangerous rhetoric.
It’s time for clarity and accountability:
Federal and local law enforcement agencies must publicly address whether these groups are under surveillance and if any ties to extremist networks have been discovered.
Political leaders must unequivocally condemn violent rhetoric at protests, regardless of the cause or group behind it.
The media must report on these events with the seriousness they deserve and refrain from downplaying the risks associated with extremist slogans and rhetoric.
America cannot afford complacency. Every chant calling for an “intifada revolution,” every flag waved in support of extremism, and every racially charged insult hurled in a public square represents a warning sign.
We cannot dismiss what happened in Times Square as an isolated incident. The timing, the rhetoric, and the imagery are all cause for deep concern. These aren’t just passionate slogans—they’re calls to action for those who might be quietly listening, waiting for their moment.
If we fail to act, if we fail to demand accountability, we risk opening the door to the next catastrophic attack on American soil. The time for decisive action is now.
