Pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of New York City again Saturday, storming Times Square after they were rebuffed as they tried to enter the American Museum of Natural History for the second weekend in a row.
The protest, which started at the Upper West Side museum at 2 p.m., included the expectation that demonstrators would enter the institution two hours later for an “anti-colonial tour.”
Around 200 anti-Israel demonstrators gathered outside the museum by 4 p.m., carrying signs and chanting, “Free Palestine,” along with antisemitic slogans like, “there is only one solution, Intifada revolution.”
Within Our Lifetime, the group that organized Saturday’s protest, asked demonstrators to show up to the museum in “small groups” adorned with Palestinian flags and banners, according to an Instagram post.
But the museum was ready for the onslaught after the group attempted to enter the museum last weekend, only to see it shut down early to keep protesters out and to protect property.
Marchers who have joined the Within Our Lifetime rallies in recent weeks have vandalized buildings like the New York Public Library, including spraying graffiti and breaking glass doors.
Organizers last week accused the museum of trying “to silence us” and vowed to come back.
However, the museum – although open – was barricaded by police and the protesters were not allowed to enter.
They also attempted to enter through a second entrance, but were blocked. People were seen inside the museum getting tickets, but it is unclear if they were a part of the rally.
After realizing they would not be able to enter the museum, they began yelling: “They’ve shut us out again” and “shame,” before releasing a smoke bomb that sprayed out the red, green and black of the Palestinian flag.
The group targeted the museum because they claim its corporate patrons are “facilitating the ongoing genocide of Gaza.”
Once turned away from the museum, the group headed downtown, with some stopping at a Starbucks on 63rd Street, entering and harassing customers.
The store’s management kicked both the protesters and customers out.
They were also seen going into the Shops at Columbus Circle, another spot they targeted last week.
One protester got violent after a few men began shouting at demonstrators while they marched down Columbus Avenue.
It is unclear if the person was apprehended, but the victim was seen walking away with blood on his face.
The protest eventually moved to Times Square, just blocks away where they were seen just days before as they attempted to upstage the Rockefeller tree lighting before heading to News Corp’s building, which houses Fox and the New York Post.
All the while, they were chanting: “Palestine will be free,” while carrying signs with slogans that called for the elimination of Israel, including, “From Gaza to Jenin, Revolution until Victory” and “abolish the settler state.”
As most of the crowd dispersed around 6 p.m., a group of protesters attempted to enter McDonald’s in Times Square, where a woman, who appeared to be guarding the door, greeted them with pepper spray, hitting several, including a young girl.
Demonstrators demanded she be arrested, but it is unclear if she faced apprehension.