Witnesses reported that pro-Palestinian protesters in New York occupied parts of the Brooklyn Museum on Friday (May 31st), hanging banners above the main entrance and taking over a large portion of the lobby, leading to clashes with the police.
According to Reuters, some individuals were arrested by the authorities, but the spokesperson for the New York City Police Department stated that it would take a few more hours to accurately count the number of people involved. The art museum located in the Brooklyn borough of New York City announced an early closure of the museum due to the chaos.
Witnesses stated that one man was arrested for spray painting on an outdoor sculpture. Conflicts between police and protesters occurred both inside and outside the museum building.
A museum spokesperson said in an email statement, “Our existing and newly installed artworks on the plaza have been damaged. Protesters entered the building, and our public safety personnel faced physical and verbal harassment.”
The statement mentioned that “out of concern for the building, collections, and staff, we have decided to close the building one hour early” and requested the public to peacefully evacuate.
Eyewitnesses reported by Reuters stated that hundreds of demonstrators were marching in Brooklyn, with some individuals rushing towards the museum entrance. While security personnel managed to stop many from entering, some protesters still found their way inside the building.
A banner with the message “Liberate Palestine, Divest from Genocide” was hung above the neoclassical-style exterior walls.
A pro-Palestinian organization called “Within Our Lifetime” urged protesters to “flood the Brooklyn Museum for Gaza.” The organization stated that activists occupied the museum to compel the disclosure of any investments related to Israel and to abandon all such investments.
In the United States, protests against Israel’s war on Gaza are still ongoing, primarily on university campuses.
The conflict began on October 7th last year when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in 1200 deaths and 253 individuals being kidnapped. According to Israeli statistics, nearly 130 people are believed to still be held captive in Gaza.
The Gaza Health Authority estimates that over 36,280 people have died since Israel launched its counter-attack. The United Nations has warned that more than a million people in this Palestinian enclave are facing “disastrous” hunger due to famine in the region.