NEW YORK — New York City police said Saturday they had 34 people in custody following a pro-Palestinian protest at the Brooklyn Museum, which included reports of damage to some artwork and harassment of the security personnel by demonstrators.
Hundreds of protesters marched to the museum Friday afternoon, set up tents in the lobby and unfurled a “Free Palestine” banner from the roof of the building before police moved in to make arrests.
New York City police officers attacked and beat some protesters during scuffles that broke out in the crowd outside the museum, while some demonstrators threw plastic bottles at officers and shouted insults. Other demonstrators held banners, waved Palestinian flags and chanted loud slogans on the steps of the Grand Museum of Fine Arts, the city’s second largest.
City police said all 34 people detained were being processed and charges were being determined.
Museum spokesperson Taylor Maatman said in a statement that the museum closed an hour early due to concerns about the safety of people and art collections.
“Unfortunately, existing and newly installed artwork in our plaza was damaged, and our public safety personnel were physically and verbally harassed,” Maatman said.
The rally began Friday afternoon, across the street from the Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. Protesters banging drums and singing then marched toward the museum about a mile and a half away.
Organizers, including the group Within Our Lifetime, called on supporters to “flood” and “divest” the museum, saying they wanted to take over the building until those responsible “disclose and divest” of all investment. linked to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Videos posted on social media showed museum guards trying to secure its doors against the growing crowds, and protesters finding other ways to enter.
Within Our Lifetime posted on social media that its president, Nerdeen Kiswani, had been “targeted and violently arrested” by police.
New York City has seen hundreds of street protests since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.
The Brooklyn Museum sits on the edge of Crown Heights, home to one of the city’s largest communities of Orthodox Jews.
ABC News
