There were demonstrations by pro-Palestinian supporters near the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday night while celebrities were attending the annual Met Gala event.
The New York Police Department stated that several people were taken into custody during the protests, but did not give a specific number. Videos on social media depicted groups of people marching close to the Met Gala, chanting “free Palestine” and playing drums. In some videos, traffic on Park Avenue was completely stopped
as the protestors filled the streets. Some of them caused smoke bombs and flares to go off to disturb the event. Some protestors started smoke bombs and flares
NBC News reported the protesters were rallying across the city in a “citywide day of rage,” marching from Hunter College and through Central Park to try to interrupt the fundraising event. The NYPD set up various blockades in the area surrounding the Met Gala to prevent protestors from getting close to the gala and instructed protestors to leave the roadways, NBC News added.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been causing disruptions at college campuses around the country, leading to the arrests of numerous students and faculty over the last three weeks. Activists are demanding that universities and the U.S. cut ties with Israel over the country’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians since early October.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Insitute Benefit involves scores of high-profile stars who dress in adherence with a specific code. This year’s theme was “The Garden of Time,” in honor of the exhibit’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
Celebrities wore outfits inspired by plants and animals on a green carpet Monday before they attended cocktails and dinner with the about 400 invited guests. Last year, the gala raised about $22 million for the Met’s Costume Insitute, according to the Associated Press.
