A verbal altercation erupted near Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 memorial ceremonies when a New York firefighter confronted a protester dressed in an Elmo costume and draped in a Palestinian flag.
The uniformed firefighter was heard shouting at the protester, calling him an "anti-American motherf–ker" and telling him to "go back to f–king Palestine."
The incident occurred amidst protests and counterprotests in Lower Manhattan. Reports indicate the pro-Palestine protester was part of a group demonstrating against a "Crusader March" organized by influencer Jake Lang, which featured signs such as "Deport All Muslims." The dueling groups reportedly devolved into chaos, with physical altercations and at least one arrest.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) stated that the individual in the uniform was not a member of their department. A source indicated the person was a firefighter from another department within New York State.
Video of the confrontation circulated widely on social media, drawing both criticism and support for the firefighter's actions. Some online commenters expressed solidarity with the firefighter, with some speculating he may have been a responder to the original 9/11 attacks.