NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — The annual “Israel Day on Fifth” parade will be held on Sunday morning in Manhattan and will be subject to increased security, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials said during a press conference on Friday from 1 Police Plaza.
Officials noted that New York City has seen nearly 2,800 protests since Oct. 7, and almost 1,300 of them were related to the Israel-Hamas war. Due to the potential for protest and fear of safety concerns among Jewish New Yorkers planning to attend, security will be a scaled down version of security used on New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July and J’ouvert celebrations.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said that there will be security measures attendees see, and others they do not, but reminded the public that “the eyes and ears of New York play a vital role in protecting our city” and to alert an officer if something doesn’t feel right.
“Uniformed officers will be posted around the parade route. There will be an increased police presence in the surrounding area, including our screening checkpoints at points of entry, as well as bike teams, aviation, K-9, transit, and our other specialized units,” Caban said.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry added that among the technology on the parade route will be ARGUS cameras and drones that will be looking for potential groups that may come to disrupt the parade.
Caban also noted that personnel from the department’s Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau will be deployed, but emphasized that there is no credible or specific threat to the parade or NYC in general.
The parade route—from 56th Street up to 74th Street in the Upper East Side—has been fortified and additional fencing was added for increased security.
Anyone entering the parade route can do so from Madison Avenue at one of the five different access points: 61st Street, 63rd Street, 66th Street, 70th Street and 73rd Street, and authorities said that entrants will be wanded with magnetometers.
Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey noted that parade participants must have proper credentials provided by the parade’s organizers, the Jewish Community Relations Council, in order to step into and walk on the parade route.
Authorities stated their support for the rights of peaceful protesters, but noted that any unlawful disturbance will not be tolerated.
“We're looking forward for those who want to participate to do so, and those who want to peacefully protest, you have a right to do so,” Adams said. “As we stated, we want to emphasize it's called peaceful protests. That is what we are calling on the people of this city to do as we acknowledge and celebrate all of our various heritages in this city.”
Police encouraged participants to take public transportation to the parade, and to leave large bags, flags or anything that can obstruct view, coolers and alcohol at home, as it will not be allowed on the parade route.
The NYPD has been in touch with the JCRC about security and parade planning, and gave a platform for CEO Mark Treyger to comment on the parade’s purpose.
“This parade, this Sunday, is an affirmation. It is not a rebuttal. It is an affirmation of our love and pride, unwavering pride in our Jewish identity, our Jewish heritage, our community, our unwavering support for Israel and for the immediate release of the hostages that they are returned home back to their loved ones and their families,” Treyger said.
The theme for Sunday's parade is "One People, One Heart."