Pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of New York City again on Saturday, storming Times Square after they were turned away as they tried to enter the American Museum of Natural History for the second weekend in a row.
The protest, which began at the Upper West Side museum at 2 p.m., included the expectation that protesters would enter the institution two hours later for an “anti-colonial tour.”
About 200 anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the museum at 4 p.m., carrying signs and chanting, “Free Palestine,” along with antisemitic slogans such as, “there is only one solution, the Intifada revolution.”
Within Our Lifetime, the group that organized Saturday’s protest, asked protesters to come to the museum in “small groups” decorated with Palestinian flags and banners, according to an Instagram post.
But the museum was braced for the attack after the group tried to enter the museum last weekend, only to see it shut down early to keep out protesters and protect property.
Marchers who have joined the Within Our Lifetime rallies in recent weeks have vandalized buildings such as the New York Public Library, including spraying graffiti and breaking glass doors.
Organizers last week accused the museum of trying to “silence us” and vowed to return.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., with protesters expected to enter the museum at 4 p.m. for an “anti-colonial tour.” They were barred from entering for the second weekend in a row. James Keivom The group tried to enter the museum last weekend, but the institution closed its doors early to keep protesters out and protect its property. James Keivom
However, the museum – although open – was cordoned off by the police and protesters were not allowed to enter.
They also tried to enter through the second entrance, but were blocked. People were seen inside the museum getting tickets, but it was unclear if they were part of the gathering.
After realizing they would not be able to enter the museum, they began shouting: “They have closed us out again” and “shameful,” before releasing smoke bombs that sprayed out the red, green and black of the Palestinian flag.
The group targeted the museum because they claim its corporate clients “facilitate the genocide in Gaza.”
After turning away from the museum, the group headed downtown, with several people stopping at Starbucks on 63rd Street, entering and harassing customers.
Store management kicked both protesters and customers out.
They were seen chanting: “Palestine will be free,” while carrying signs reading “From Gaza to Jenin, Revolution to Victory” and “abolish the settler state.” James Keivom After realizing that they would not be able to enter the museum, they began shouting: “They have locked us up again” and “shameful,” before releasing smoke bombs that sprayed Palestinian colors. James Keivom
They were also seen going to the Shops at Columbus Circle, another place they targeted last week.
A protester turned violent after several men began yelling at protesters as they marched down Columbus Avenue.
It is not clear if the person was arrested, but the victim was seen walking away with blood on his face.
The protest eventually moved to Times Square, just a few blocks away where they had been seen a few days earlier as they attempted to light the Rockefeller tree before heading to the News Corp building, which houses Fox and the New York Post.
All the while, they chanted: “Palestine will be free,” while carrying signs with slogans calling for the elimination of Israel, including, “From Gaza to Jenin, Revolution to Victory” and “abolish the settler state.”
As most of the crowd dispersed around 6 p.m., a group of protesters tried to enter a McDonald’s in Times Square, where a woman, who appeared to be guarding the door, greeted them with pepper spray, hitting several people, including a young girl.
Protesters demanded his arrest, but it was not clear if he faced apprehension.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
