Amidst the glamour and luxury of the Met Gala in Central Park, anti-Israel protesters clashed with New York City police as they attempted to disrupt the event. A crowd of around 1000 protesters gathered near the venue, determined to make their voices heard.
However, their efforts were thwarted as a large police presence ensured that the fashion event was not disrupted. The protesters engaged in altercations with the police at various locations near the Met Gala, resulting in several arrests.
Videos shared on social media captured the protests, with NYPD officers urging the protesters to limit their demonstrations to the sidewalk to avoid disrupting vehicular traffic. Despite this, some protesters vandalized the General William Tecumseh Sherman bronze statue in Grand Army Plaza, painting “Free Gaza” graffiti on its base and attaching a Palestinian flag to the front.
The protesters identified themselves as part of a “Day of Rage” protest organized by the Palestinian activist group Within Our Lifetime. They chanted slogans such as “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest” as they clashed with police in Central Park.