Pro-Palestinian protesters barred from reaching Met Gala; burn American flag, vandalise WWI memorial

A large crowd of Pro-Palestinian demonstratorsin the United Statesstormed the streets near the annual Met Gala fashion fundraiser on Monday (May 6).Protesters vandalised a World War I memorial in Central Park and torched the American flag at the One Hundred Seventh Infantry Memorialafter police barred a group of more than 1,000 demonstrators from entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, which was hosting the Met Gala.

Vogue has been the host of the fashion event every year since 1948. This year, when celebrities walked on thecarpet, demonstrators gathered outside, calling for an end to the months-long Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Around 6 pm ET, the pro-Palestinian group marched towards the event as the red carpet arrivals began. Videos of the protesters are making the rounds on social media. The New York City Police Department confronted the protesters.

#NEW MASS ARRESTS outside #MetGala2024 during Pro-palestine protest 'DAY OF RAGE'

Video by Ed Quinn Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/bKNQhE4BVQ — Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 6, 2024

A video posted on X, previously Twitter, shows the protesters about a block from the event.

"Hamas sympathizers carrying banners which read "By any means necessary" are marching towards the Met in NYC which is hosting the Met Gala. This is after they broke through police barricades," a user wrote.

Hamas sympathizers carrying banners which read "By any means necessary" are marching towards the Met in NYC which is hosting the Met Gala. This is after they broke through police barricades. pic.twitter.com/E5mhs75TDk — SirWinston (@SirWinston85) May 6, 2024

Wrote another, "While you’re enjoying the met gala looks, please remember that Rafah is under attack, please remember that Hamas accepted the ceasefire deal, please remember that Israel rejected it. THIS IS NOT A WAR, IT IS A GENOCIDE AND ISRAEL NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE."

The New York Post claimed that more than 1,000 demonstrators marched across Manhattan on Monday evening.

While you’re enjoying the met gala looks, please remember that Rafah is under attack, please remember that Hamas accepted the ceasefire deal, please remember that Israel rejected it.

THIS IS NOT A WAR, IT IS A GENOCIDE AND ISRAEL NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUMTABLE. #AllEyesOnRafah — Han ✌︎︎ (@hanreads_) May 7, 2024

The activists marched from Hunter College, where the pro-Palestinian activist organisation Within Our Lifetime conducted a "Day of Rage" event beginning at 5 pm before marching to the Metropolitan Gala. Protesters were confronted with a large police presence, and many individuals were arrested by New York Police Department officers.

Within Our Lifetime wrote on X, "DISCLOSE! DIVEST! WE WILL NOT STOP WE WILL NOT REST! From the encampments to the streets NYC stands with Rafah!"