Pro-Palestinian vandals target homes of Brooklyn Museum trustees with red paint, police sources say

NEW YORK — Professional-Palestinian demonstrators splashed pink paint on the road Wednesday morning on the Higher East Aspect, and the NYPD is trying into at the least 4 different incidents which may be associated.

Police sources inform CBS New York investigators consider the group focused the houses of Brooklyn Museum trustees, following a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the museum final week. 

“We’re deeply troubled by these horrible acts of vandalism focusing on museum management,” the museum stated in an announcement. “For 2 centuries, the Brooklyn Museum has labored to foster mutual understanding by means of artwork and tradition, and now we have all the time supported peaceable protest and open, respectful dialogue. Violence, vandalism, and intimidation don’t have any place in that discourse.”

About 15 protesters threw paint and papers from a U-Haul after which fled round 6 a.m. Wednesday on East sixty fifth Avenue between Lexington and Park avenues, sources say. Surveillance video exhibits a U-Haul with individuals hanging off the again because it drives down East sixty fifth Avenue.

The situation is residence to the Everlasting Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, which says it really works to advertise Palestinian pursuits. Flyers that have been discovered on the scene learn partially, “The Palestinian Authority doesn’t characterize the Palestinian individuals, lengthy stay the intifada.”

Workers on the group informed CBS New York “no remark.”

The vandals left behind buckets that have been full of an oil-based paint and a few items of particles or concrete, which investigators consider have been supposed to trigger injury, sources say. Police autos have been additionally defaced with graffiti.

Some individuals who stay within the space stated they weren’t capable of entry their automobiles, and others stated they needed to miss appointments. 

“My workplace is actually in the course of this block. I am an obstetrician and I’ve acquired lots of pregnant girls coming in,” one individual stated.   

“Folks must have peace with one another, however that is life, they usually did very [much] injury to the road,” stated one other individual.

“I’m from Israel, I misplaced members of the family on Oct. 7 … and I really feel very sorry for what occurred. For me to see one thing like this right here in Manhattan is breaking my coronary heart,” one other individual added. “Hopefully, we’ll get right into a peace course of, however because it seems to be proper now, we’re very removed from it.”

“I noticed all of the tape and all of the paper on the bottom, and the cops in every single place. I do know what’s on the road. I do know the Palestinian Authority is on the road, so I wasn’t shocked,” one individual stated.

NYPD Hate Crimes Job Drive investigating a number of incidents

The NYPD Hate Crimes Job Drive is investigating at the least 5 incidents — three in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn — however it has not confirmed whether or not they have been linked. Police sources say investigators are additionally trying into one other incident on Lengthy Island.

The NYPD launched photographs and movies displaying two individuals needed in reference to one of many incidents in Brooklyn. 

New York Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander said on social media the vandals defaced the houses of the museum’s board members with pink paint, including the “cowards who did this are means over the road.” Every week in the past, pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the museum, calling for its board to reveal any Israel-related investments and to divest.

Neighbors stated they’re deeply disturbed.

“It is an act of blatant antisemitism, and it is terrorism,” one individual stated.

“Protesters are uninformed, or they do not need to take into consideration why they’re protesting, and in the event that they did, they might not help Hamas. They’d really feel very sorry for the Palestinian individuals,” stated one other.

NYPD sources say the vandalism matches related protests organized by the group Inside Our Lifetime, however a consultant informed CBS New York they didn’t set up this.

Police say three individuals additionally burned flags, together with an American flag, exterior the Israeli Consulate on the East Aspect round 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The acts of vandalism haven’t been labeled a hate crime, however that categorization has not been dominated out, in accordance with a high-ranking police supply. A hate crime would elevate the costs from vandalism or legal mischief to a felony, which carries a stiffer penalty. 

“It is a crime, and it is overt, unacceptable antisemitism”

Mayor Eric Adams additionally posted in regards to the incidents on social media, calling them a criminal offense. 

“This isn’t peaceable protest or free speech. It is a crime, and it is overt, unacceptable antisemitism. These actions won’t ever be tolerated in New York Metropolis for any cause,” he wrote.

The mayor supplied his apologies to Brooklyn Museum Director Anne Pasternak and its board members. 

“I spoke to Anne this morning and dedicated that this hate is not going to stand in our metropolis. The NYPD is investigating and can convey the criminals accountable right here to justice,” he wrote. 

A spokesperson for the museum later stated Pasternak is Jewish however the two board members who have been focused are usually not. 

Police stated nobody was harm Wednesday and no arrests have been made.

Anybody with details about the vandalism is requested to name the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). It’s also possible to submit a tip via their website or by way of DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are stored confidential.