A man carrying a Palestinian flag ran onto the field at Yankee Stadium at 9:11 p.m. during the Mets-Yankees game on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, prompting security to tackle him as fans responded with chants of “USA!”
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
A man waving a Palestinian flag ran onto the Yankee Stadium outfield at 9:11 p.m. Friday during the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, interrupting a game being played on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The man entered the field from the left-field stands during the top of the seventh inning and ran toward center field while carrying the flag. Stadium security and New York Police Department officers pursued him across the grass before tackling and removing him.
As officers escorted him from the field beyond the center-field wall, spectators above the Mets bullpen threw beer cans and other drinks toward him. Fans then broke into chants of “USA! USA!” as he was taken away, according to video of the incident
The timing made the disruption especially conspicuous. It occurred at 9:11 p.m. on Sept. 11 as New York and communities across the country marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The game had begun only hours after an extensive pregame remembrance at Yankee Stadium honoring those killed in the attacks.
Members of the 2001 Yankees, including Derek Jeter, joined the ceremony on the field as the organization commemorated the team and city’s experience in the aftermath of Sept. 11. A daughter of United Airlines Flight 175 pilot Victor Saracini also participated in the ceremonial first pitch.
The field intrusion occurred later in the game, creating a sudden interruption to an evening otherwise centered heavily on remembrance.
The New York Post reported that the man entered from the stands and ran across the outfield while displaying the Palestinian flag, referring to him in its headline as a “Palestinian flag-waving loon.” The newspaper also reported that spectators threw drinks toward him as security removed him and that “USA!” chants followed.
The disruption came during the opening game of the Subway Series, which the Yankees ultimately won 6-4 before a sellout crowd. The anniversary remained a prominent part of the evening, with tributes continuing during the game and “God Bless America” performed following the top of the seventh inning.
The available reporting did not establish whether the man deliberately selected 9:11 p.m. for the field intrusion. What was clear was that his run across the field carrying a Palestinian flag occurred at that time on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, immediately drawing an audible response from the Yankee Stadium crowd.
Security ultimately removed the man from the playing field, and the game resumed as fans continued the “USA!” chant.
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