After thousands of pro-Palestine supporters gathered in Times Square on Saturday afternoon, a group of protesters opted to disrupt at Easter vigil at St. Patrick's cathedral in New York City on Saturday evening.

Protesters could be seen unveiling a banner as they chanted “free, free Palestine” during the service. A group of churchgoers soon got up and proceeded to physically remove the protesters from the building.

At least some of the protesters were with climate change group Extinction Rebellion NYC’s Palestinian Solidarity group, according to a report from the New York Post. They carried a sign with the words “SILENCE=DEATH” written across it, which they unveiled before they were escorted out.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in Times Square earlier in the day as part of nationwide “land day” protests.

In a statement released before the start of Holy Week, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for peace in the Middle East and an end to the conflict in Gaza. “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.

Since the start of the conflict in the wake of the October 7 attacks, the conference has condemned targeting of civilians on both sides. “Thousands of innocent people have died in this conflict, and thousands more have been displaced and face tremendous suffering,” the statement continued.

“This must stop.”