34 arrested after pro-Palestinian protest at Brooklyn Museum, art damage reported | Kamra

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator, top left, hangs a flag over the Brooklyn Museum during a protest calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Friday, May 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police said Saturday they took 34 people into custody following a pro-Palestinian protest at the Brooklyn Museum that reported vandalism to artwork and harassment of security staff by demonstrators.

Hundreds of protesters marched on the museum Friday afternoon, pitched 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 tackled and punched some protesters during riots that broke out in the crowd outside the museum, while some demonstrators threw plastic bottles at officers and shouted insults. Other protesters held signs, waved Palestinian flags and chanted loudly on the steps of the grand Beaux Arts museum, which is the second largest in the city.

City police said of the 34 people detained, six were arrested and charged with crimes ranging from trespassing to trespassing to assault. Another 23 were released after receiving tickets or summonses for offenses including trespassing, graffiti, damaging property and resisting arrest. Police have not said what happened to the other five people.

Museum spokesman 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 has been damaged and our public safety personnel have been physically and verbally harassed,” Maatman said.

The rally began Friday afternoon across from the Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. The marchers beating drums and chanting then made their way to the museum about a mile away.

Organizers, including the group Within Our Lifetime, called on supporters to “flood” and “vacate” the museum, saying they want to take over the building until officials “disclose and renounce” any investments related to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Videos posted on social media showed guards at the museum trying to secure its doors against the growing crowd and demonstrators finding other ways inside.

Within Our Lifetime posted on social media that its president, Nerdeen Kiswani, was “targeted and violently arrested” by police.

New York City has seen hundreds of street demonstrations since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.

The Brooklyn Museum is located on the edge of Crown Heights, home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the city.