Pro-Palestinian activists broke into the Brooklyn Museum in New York and scuffled with police on Friday, protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza, which is nearing its ninth month.
People banged on glass doors and jumped security fences as they rushed inside the building and occupied much of the lobby, where they unfurled large banners and chanted slogans.
Read more: Palestinian American nurse fired after calling Gaza conflict ‘genocide’
A banner placed atop the facade read, “Free Palestine, divest from genocide.” One person held a sign that said, “Save the children of Rafah,” referring to the southern Gazan city currently besieged by the Israeli Army.
#BREAKING Hundreds of pro-palestine protesters STORM Brooklyn Museum, climb through barricades and drop banners of the roof while others occupy space inside the museum for "Flood Brooklyn Museum for GAZA" Protest. pic.twitter.com/EmIIXPyqAO
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 31, 2024
“There was damage to existing and newly installed artwork on our plaza,” the museum said in an email to Reuters, adding that “public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed.”
Read more: Israel reveals when it plans to end war in Gaza