Three pro-Palestinian protesters were quickly arrested Saturday night after disrupting an Easter Vigil service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
The mass, led by Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, was interrupted about 45 minutes into the 8 p.m. service when the trio barged in, carrying a white banner that read “Silence = Death.” Congregants reportedly paid little attention to the group. Police arrived to the scene and escorted the protesters out as they chanted “Free Palestine,” footage of the incident shows.
The three individuals arrested were identified as Matthew Menzies, 31, John Rozendaal, 63, and Gregory Schwedock, 35, according to the New York Post.
Schwedock previously glued his feet to the stadium floor at the U.S. Open in September, while protesting climate change alongside three other activists. As a result of their actions, the tennis match stopped for nearly 50 minutes. Schwedock was arrested then as well.
Interruption of the Catholic mass came after thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested in Times Square earlier in the day, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. On Saturday, pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel sympathizers around the world protested the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to commemorate Land Day as millions of Catholics and Christians celebrated the conclusion of Holy Week.
Many people who attended the Easter Vigil mass Saturday night felt the demonstration was disrespectful and in poor taste.
“We all have to respect each other’s religions. What’s going on in Gaza is appalling, but there are other ways to show your point of view,” Arturo Ballester, 59, told the Post.
“Not inside the church. Outside they can be as free as they please. Gaza is a really bad situation, but this is a place of sanctuary for us. Have a little respect please,” an unnamed congregant reportedly said.
In a statement on March 23 before Holy Week began, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for prayer, peace, and the end of the war in the Middle East.
“As the Church enters Holy Week and Christ’s suffering on the cross and his resurrection are made present to us so vividly, we are connected to the very source of hope,” the statement read.
The USCCB has repeatedly called for peace, prayer, fasting, and the release of hostages held by Hamas since the start of the conflict. The group of Catholic bishops has also decried the deaths of civilians in Israel and Gaza.
“Thousands of innocent people have died in this conflict, and thousands more have been displaced and face tremendous suffering,” the statement added. “This must stop.”