At least 29 pro-Palestinian protesters detained after storming Brooklyn Museum

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched to the Brooklyn Museum, on Friday (May 31) afternoon and set up tents in a bid to occupy the museum. They even unfurled a “Free Palestine” banner from the roof before the police stormed the place and began arresting the demonstrators.

The police, on Saturday (Jun 1) said they have takenmore than two dozen people in custody after thepro-Palestinian protest.

Watch: Hundreds of protesters storm museum

Images and videos on social media show the art museum in the New York City borough of Brooklyn being stormed by hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters which led to its closure an hour early.

Since the beginning of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, the United States has witnessed massive, often violent, protests.

During the protest, a banner that read “Free Palestine. Divest From Genocide” was also unfurled from the roof. The protesters also clashed with the officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) inside and outside the building.

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The rally began on Friday afternoon across the street at Barclays Center after which protesters, chanting and banging drums, as per the Associated Press made their way to the museum which is around 1.6 kilometres away.

Shut the Brooklyn Museum down!!!!! pic.twitter.com/pciD3EvGJy — Within Our Lifetime (@WOLPalestine) May 31, 2024

The protest organisers, including the group Within Our Lifetime, called on supporters to “flood” and “de-occupy” the museum.

Organisers also wanted to take over the building until officials “disclose and divest ” from any investments linked to Israel.

At least 29 arrested

NYPD officers were seen tackling and punching protesters during the scuffles while demonstrators reportedly hurled plastic bottles at officers and shouted insults.

On Saturday, the NYPD said it detained 29 people during the protest out of which, sixwere arrested and charged with offenses including assault and criminal trespassing.

Additionally,16 people were released with orders to appear in court and aroundseven others were issued summonses and released, said an NYPD spokesperson in an email to Reuters.

Guards at the museum were also seen trying to secure its doors against the surging crowd while protesters found other ways to enter the museum.

Content warning: The visuals may be disturbing to some users. It may contain some profanity as well. Viewer discretion is advised.

🚨#BREAKING: Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters have stormed into the Brooklyn Museum, breaking through barricades, pushing staff out and occupying the building.⁰⁰📌#Brooklyn | #NewYork ⁰
Currently, an estimated 500-700 or possibly more pro-Palestine protesters have stormed… pic.twitter.com/cAaSHb4xtm — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 31, 2024

More scenes of the New York Police suppressing pro-Palēstine demonstrators inside the Brooklyn Museum and arresting a number of them! pic.twitter.com/meHYvHk57d — 🔻 mari 🔻 (@marisaturno_) June 1, 2024

One of the arrests came after a man defaced an outdoor sculpture with graffiti, a Reuters witness said.

Brooklyn Museum responds

“There was damage to existing and newly installed artwork on our plaza,” said the museum in an email to Reuters.

Several protesters scrawled messages on the OY/YO sculpture on the plaza outside the entrance of the museum.

It added, “Protesters entered the building, and our public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed.”

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“Out of a concern for the building, our collections, and our staff, the decision was made to close the building an hour early,” said the museum officials, adding that the public was asked to vacate peacefully.

‘We’re back bitches’

Students at Columbia University, on Friday night, set up a new encampment on campus ahead of the school’s alumni weekend to show support for Palestinians in Gaza.

“We’re back bitches,” declared one sign put up by the protesters as seen in a video by the New York Times.

A report by Reuters citing a video on social media said campus security was seen taking down the tents but as of Friday night, police were not involved.

“We are aware of the encampment erected this evening and are monitoring the situation. We remain committed to hosting a successful weekend for our alumni,” said Columbia spokesperson Samantha Slater.

(With inputs from agencies)