A man appearing to be a New York City firefighter confronted a pro-Palestinian demonstrator in an Elmo costume carrying a Palestinian flag Friday, calling the protester “anti-American” near Ground Zero as the city held its 9/11 memorial ceremony, according to video filmed by Turning Point USA and shared on X.
“F—— anti-American motherf—–. Go back to f—— Palestine. We don’t want you here,” the man shouted at the demonstrator. It was not immediately clear whether he was an active-duty or retired firefighter.
The man also told the protester to take former President Barack Obama, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with them.
A firefighter confronts a pro-Palestinian agitator in an Elmo costume Friday. (X/@FrontlinesTPUSA and X/@choeshow)
“Take ’em all. They’re all no f—–g good!” he yelled. “You’re no f—–g good.”
After the firefighter walked away, a person can be heard yelling in the video, “The Jews are committing a genocide.”
It was unclear whether the remark came from one of the protesters.
“Frustration from Americans attending the 9/11 memorial service a few blocks away is spilling over,” TPUSA wrote in its post on X.
A pro-Palestinian protester and others in the video. (X/@FrontlinesTPUSA and X/@choeshow)
News Media has contacted the FDNY and TPUSA for comment.
FDNY told FOx News Digital: “We are aware of the video circulating of someone wearing a uniform having a verbal altercation today. This person appears to be from another fire department and is not and has never been a member of the FDNY.”
Friday marked 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City; the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; and in Pennsylvania.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani meets with relatives of 9/11 victims at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum during a ceremony Friday marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. (Getty Images)
All the living former presidents attended the ceremony at Ground Zero along with Vice President JD Vance.
Mamdani, Hochul, and Ocasio-Cortez were also in attendance.
President Donald Trump gave a keynote speech at the Pentagon 9/11 ceremony Friday.