Is nothing sacred? Pro-Palestine protestors light American flag on fire outside ... trends now
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators defaced a World War I memorial in New York City's Central Park on Monday evening, daubing the base of a statue with graffiti and lighting an American flag on fire.
The demonstrators - part of a crowd of 1,000 people - also added Palestinian flags to the 107th Infantry memorial at the intersection of East 67th Street and Fifth Avenue.
The act of wanton vandalism was part of a 'day of rage' protest with those taking part showing no respect for the Stars & Stripes or the war memorial above.
Only a few protesters could be seen in video footage, but a chant of 'free Palestine' could be heard in the background. The word 'Gaza' was spray-painted onto the base of the statue in both black and red paint.
Its unclear if police have made any arrests for the vandalism.
Pro-Palestinian protestors vandalized a World War I memorial in Central Park on Monday as 1,000 marched around town
An American flag was left burning on the ground while chants of 'Free Palestine' rang out
The protestors spray-painted 'Gaza' on the base in black and red paint and added Palestinian flags to the memorial
The desecration of the memorials occurred when demonstrators could not get near the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as police blocked protestors access to the event.
Videos and photos showed police ordering protestors out of nearby streets and arresting those who didn't comply.
Almost 30 anti-Israel protesters were arrested close to the Met Museum.
Other protestors turned their attention to the 107th Infantry Memorial, pulling out marker pens and spray paint in order to make their mark. Some stuck Palestinian flag stickers onto the statue's bronze soldiers.
There was no police in sight at the time with much of the NYPD‘s effort, tasked with protecting the ongoing star-studded gala some 15 blocks north.
Video footage showed a few demonstrators chanting 'free Palestine' while defacing the statue, draping it with a Palestinian flag
The act occurred when protesters were unable to reach the Met Gala, prompting them to target the 107th Infantry memorial instead
Anti-Israel protesters vandalized a World War I memorial in Central Park
Protestors cheered those who defaced the memorial waving Palestinian flags
On Monday evening, the protestors marched throughout New York City after starting on Manhattan's Upper East and Hunter College. They headed to the Met as celebrities started to arrive.
The protests — officially billed as part of a 'Day Of Rage For Gaza: From The Encampments To The Streets' — began earlier on Monday afternoon at Columbia University and NYU downtown with the two groups merging close to the Gala.
Both protests met up at CUNY Hunter College at 5pm - just one mile
