Arrests made after pro-Palestinian protesters swarm Brooklyn Museum

NEW YORK – Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators swarmed the Brooklyn Museum on Friday.

The New York City Police Department says arrests were made, but it is unknown exactly how many people were taken into custody.

The protests started around 4 p.m. in Fort Greene, where hundreds gathered to march near the Barclays Center.

Protesters made their way to the Brooklyn Museum around 4:30 p.m. Video shows museum employees rushing to lock the doors as protesters approached.

Some people even scaled the building and unfurled a giant banner from the roof reading, “Free Palestine. Divest from genocide.”

The Brooklyn Museum says they did not call the NYPD, but police arrived on the scene and clashed with demonstrators, making arrests.

The museum told CBS New York in a statement that existing and newly installed artwork on their plaza was damaged, and members of the museum’s public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed as protesters entered the building.

The museum closed an hour early out of concern for the safety of the building, its collections and the museum staff.

Police say the group behind the demonstration has organized several others, including near the Met Gala earlier in May.

The demonstration comes on the same day President Joe Biden said Israel has offered a new cease-fire proposal, and as Israel continues its push further into the Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.

“Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s a roadmap to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages. This proposal has been transmitted by Qatar to Hamas.”

The protest also comes ahead of the 60th annual Israel Day on Fifth Parade this Sunday. An internal threat assessment obtained by CBS New York says the event may be “an attractive target for an act of mass violence or disruption.”

Israel continues to face mounting international criticism over Palestinian deaths and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.