Three pro-Palestinian protesters arrested in New York City for disrupting the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by unfurling banners and shouting “Free Palestine” have been released without bail. Ta.
New York City Police Department told Fox News Digital that following the incident captured on video on Saturday, suspects Gregory Schwedock, 35, of New York, John Rosendahl, 63, of New York, and Matthew Menzies, of Colchester, were arrested. He said the suspects, 31, were each charged with disrupting religious services. night. All three have since been released, according to court records Monday.
“Three men broke into the church, approached the altar and disrupted the Mass, shouting ‘Liberate Palestine,'” the NYPD said in a statement. “They were taken into custody at the scene without incident.”
Video taken at the scene shows a banner with the message “Silence = Death” being unfurled near the altar during the Easter Vigil led by New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Security personnel quickly removed the protesters from the area, but many of the participants did not appear to approve of the violence.
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Easter Vigil service in St. Petersburg at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are seen unfurling banners during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Saturday. (XR NYC Palestine Solidarity)
Extinction Rebellion, the climate change activist group behind the stunt, said its activists are “demanding immediate and vocal action from all religious leaders against genocide and environmental destruction.” I wrote to X.
“War, occupation, and industrial pollution are contaminating soil, air, and water in Gaza and around the globe, destroying the planet’s ability to support life,” the magazine continued. “This destruction is called ‘ecocide.'”
“At a time when 30,000 people have died in Gaza and all life on earth is threatened by the climate crisis, every individual and every organization that values justice, peace and love needs to be visible and heard.” “We have a duty to oppose genocide and environmental destruction. Everything.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Berkeley City Council meeting and Holocaust memorial vote
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
In a statement ahead of the start of Holy Week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for prayers for peace in the Middle East and an end to the Israeli-Hamas war.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Monday.
Protesters were seen being removed by security from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Saturday. (XR NYC Palestine Solidarity)
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According to the New York Post, Schwedok was one of the protesters arrested for disrupting a U.S. Open tennis semifinal match last September, when climate activists were glued to the ground to prevent security guards from leaving. He had previously been detained after using drugs and disrupting a match.
FOX News’ Stephanie Price contributed to this report.
