- The NYPD is pulling out all the security stops ahead of the potential violence on the streets of New York City
- The ‘Shut It Down! For Palestine ‘ protest, organized by anti-Israel groups, is set to start in the afternoon and disrupt the celebrations for New Year’s Eve
Cable networks are preparing for the worst amid fears that their live broadcast plans on New Year’s Eve may have to change if disorderly pro-Palestine supporters take over Times Square.
Anti-Israel protesters are threatening to derail December 31 celebrations in the Big Apple – where more than one million revelers from across the country and world are expected to be bringing in the new year.
The NYPD is pulling out all the security stops ahead of the potential violence on the streets of New York City. Protests have been occurring in the city since Hamas brutalized Israeli civilians, triggering a conflict in the Middle East on October 7.
Television networks are also gearing up for an unruly night ahead of the ball drop – and they are ‘prepared for anything and everything,’ according to sources speaking to Deadline.
The ‘Shut It Down! For Palestine‘ protest, organized by anti-Israel groups, is set to start in the afternoon and disrupt the celebrations for New Year’s Eve.
They are starting at Columbus Circle, which is the site of CNN‘s headquarters – the network that will broadcast Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen‘s New Year’s Eve Special celebrations.
It will be Cooper and Cohen’s seventh year hosting the extravaganza.
Alongside CNN, hosts from other big outlets will also be broadcasting live from Times Square, where the protests are threatening to reach.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will be co-hosted by Rita Ora – and performers will include LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Celebrations in Times Square will kick off at 6pm, when the six-ton crystal ball will be lit and raised up. At 11.59pm, the ball will start its one-minute drop in front of hundreds of thousands of cheering party-goers.
CNN and ABC have been contacted for comment.