Pro-Palestine protesters break into Brooklyn Museum (VIDEOS)

The activists called for a ceasefire in Gaza and urged to “divest from genocide”

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.

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

Hundreds of protesters have taken over the lobby of the Brooklyn Museum demanding the cultural institution take a stand against genocide and divest from profiteering off war. 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/ceMFKUrooE

— Gerard (@GerardDalbon) May 31, 2024

A group of activists scuffled with police outside the museum. The officers eventually entered the lobby and made arrests.

NOW: NYPD seen punching another protestor as they tackle them to the ground for standing in the street in front of the Brooklyn Museum.

Brooklyn police have a history of punching protestors like this. A few weeks ago they were seen punching at least 5 protestors after detaining… pic.twitter.com/Eacb67AdaJ

— Peter Hambrecht (@peterhvideo) 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.”

Just an hour after the occupation at the Brooklyn Museum began to end, the NYPD is cracking down on peaceful protesters, with at least one protester injured while one of the protesters stole her veil. pic.twitter.com/sKqcUbbw3K

— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) June 1, 2024

According to Reuters, at least one sculpture outside the museum was vandalized with graffiti. 

The US has seen a wave of pro-Palestinian protests since fighting between the militant group Hamas and Israel broke out on October 7. Activists have heckled politicians at public events and set up encampments at college campuses across the country. In many cases, police have been forced to dismantle the camps and forcibly remove protesters who refuse to leave.

READ MORE: Israel has offered new Gaza ceasefire plan – Biden

On Friday, US President Joe Biden said that Israel has offered a new ceasefire deal which incorporates the release of the remaining hostages captured by Hamas during its deadly October 7 raid into Israeli territory that triggered the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel’s ultimate goal is to eliminate the threat of Hamas in Gaza, where more than 36,000 people have been killed over the past eight months.