In the midst of the star-studded Met Gala in Central Park, a group of protesters clashed with New York City police as they attempted to disrupt the event. The protesters, numbering around 1000-strong, were stopped from reaching the Metropolitan Museum of Art where the annual fashion event was taking place. Despite their close proximity to the venue, a large police presence ensured that the event was not disrupted.
The protesters engaged in altercations with police at various locations near the Met Gala, resulting in several arrests. A report from the New York Post stated that the protesters vandalized a statue and painted “Free Gaza” graffiti on its base. Additionally, about two dozen protesters were arrested near Madison Avenue and East 83rd Street as they marched from Hunter College towards the Met.
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. The protesters identified themselves as part of a “Day of Rage” protest organized by 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.