Brooklyn Museum Protest: Within Our Lifetime's De-Occupation Leads to Arrests, Damaged Artwork, and Controversy

Brooklyn, New York United States of America
Disruptive protests raise awareness about ongoing conflict in Gaza and put pressure on institutions to take a stand against Israel's military actions.
Multiple arrests made and reports of damaged artwork.
NYPD arrested at least 34 people including Nerdeen Kiswani, chair of Within Our Lifetime.
Organized by Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led community organization.
Pro-Palestinian protests took place at the Brooklyn Museum on June 1, 2024.
Protesters occupied both public plaza and museum premises, blocked entrances, unfurled banners.
Brooklyn Museum Protest: Within Our Lifetime's De-Occupation Leads to Arrests, Damaged Artwork, and Controversy

Pro-Palestinian protests took place at the Brooklyn Museum on June 1, 2024, resulting in multiple arrests and reports of damaged artwork. The protests were organized by Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led community organization that aimed to 'de-occupy' the museum until it disclosed and divested from any investments linked to Israel's military assault on the Gaza Strip.

According to various sources, including NBC News and ABC7 New York, protesters occupied both the public plaza in front of the museum and entered its premises. They blocked entrances, unfurled banners inside and outside the building, and caused damage to existing and newly installed artwork on the plaza.

Members of the museum's public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed during these protests. The Brooklyn Museum closed early as a precautionary measure due to concerns for its collections, staff, and visitors' safety.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested at least 34 people in connection with the protests. Among those detained was Nerdeen Kiswani, the chair of Within Our Lifetime. Reports suggest that she was targeted and violently arrested by NYPD officers, who also allegedly ripped off her hijab during the arrest.

Protests against Israel's actions in Gaza have been ongoing since October 2023, with numerous demonstrations taking place on college campuses across the United States. At least 80 people were arrested at the University of California, Santa Cruz, after a pro-Palestinian encampment was cleared by authorities.

The protests in New York and other cities have been met with criticism from various quarters due to their disruptive nature and potential impact on museum operations. However, supporters argue that these actions are necessary to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and put pressure on institutions to take a stand against Israel's military actions.

It is important to note that all sources used in this article have an overall score above 90, indicating their credibility and reliability. However, it is essential to remain skeptical of any biased or one-sided reporting and seek out diverse perspectives on the issue.



Confidence

96%

Doubts
  • Was Nerdeen Kiswani's hijab actually ripped off during arrest?
  • Were all reports of damaged artwork confirmed?

Sources

97%

  • Unique Points
    • The protest was organized by Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led community organization, to ‘de-occupy’ the museum until it discloses and divests from any investments linked to Israel’s military assault on Gaza Strip.
    • Damage was caused to existing and newly installed artwork on the museum plaza.
  • Accuracy
    • Protesters occupied the public plaza in front of the museum and entered the building, blocking entrances and displaying banners.
    • Damage was caused to existing and newly installed artwork on the museum plaza, and some staff members were physically and verbally harassed.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators entered the Brooklyn Museum and damaged existing and newly installed artwork on the plaza.
    • Members of the museum's public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed by the protesters.
  • Accuracy
    • The museum closed early to allow visitors to leave peacefully due to protesters blocking entrances and unfurling banners inside.
    • A new encampment was set up at Columbia University.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

91%

  • Unique Points
    • Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down the Brooklyn Museum on Friday evening.
    • At least three people waved the Palestinian flag atop the museum steps.
    • A black banner with the words ‘Free Palestine’ was hung from the museum’s roof.
  • Accuracy
    • Protesters occupied the public plaza in front of the museum and entered the building, blocking entrances and displaying banners.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The author uses language that depicts the protesters as overtaking and overwhelming museum workers, implying a negative connotation. The author also mentions the demands of the protesters without providing any context or explanation.
    • “Museum workers frantically locked the front doors as a swarm of pro-Palestinian protesters rushed to get inside. However, they were quickly overcome by pro-Palestinian protesters who overtook the lobby of the Brooklyn Museum.”
      • “Pro-Palestinian protesters descended on the Brooklyn Museum on Friday evening, shutting down the institution.”
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      92%

      • Unique Points
        • At least 22 people were arrested at New York's Brooklyn Museum during an anti-Israel protest.
        • Nerdeen Kiswani, WOL chair, was arrested by NYPD during the protest.
      • Accuracy
        • 34 people were arrested at the Brooklyn Museum during a pro-Palestinian protest.
        • Damage was caused to existing and newly installed artwork on the museum plaza.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the protesters and the police.
        • . . . charging some with offenses including assault, according to officers . . .
      • Bias (95%)
        The article reports on an anti-Israel protest at the Brooklyn Museum where at least 22 people were arrested. The protesters are described as carrying banners and placards with anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian slogans, and some enter the museum to demand that it disclose any Israel-related investments and divest any such funding. The article also mentions that the moment the march arrived at the museum doors, activists were arrested for demanding they divest from the Gaza genocide. This language implies a biased viewpoint towards Israel and its actions in Gaza, which is not presented as an objective fact but rather as a 'genocide'. The article also mentions that Within Our Lifetime praised Hamas-led attacks in the immediate aftermath of the atrocities, further demonstrating bias against Israel.
        • The moment that our march arrived at the doors of @brooklynmuseum, which they closed early to arrest activists de-occupying the inside demanding they divest from the Gaza genocide
          • those arrested are accused of offenses ranging from assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and riding a bicycle on the sidewalk.
            • Within Our Lifetime, which praised Hamas-led attack in the immediate aftermath of the atrocities
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication