Anti-Israel protesters blocked from disrupting Met Gala

Protesters march through New York on Monday evening (Photo: TikTok)[Missing Credit]

Dozens of demonstrators came within a block of disrupting the event, where celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker gathered. Separated from the gala by the New York Police Department and metal barricades, some demonstrators were filmed trying to penetrate the fencing as they approached 5th Avenue.

Around 1,000 protesters took to the streets of New York, marching on the Upper East Side of Manhattan before pushing through the barricades. Police diverted the group towards Central Park by forming a blockade two officers deep.

Protesters march through barricades near the Met Gala on Monday evening (Photo: Twitter/X)[Missing Credit]

After being diverted by the police, some protesters made their way to Central Park, where they were filmed ascending a war memorial and waving Palestinian flags, before spraying “Gaza” on its base. An American flag was also filmed being burned in front of the monument. 

While some protesters allegedly said they intended to crash the gala, others said they did not know about it. The activist group Within Our Lifetime had helped to organise the protests and called for a "Day of Rage".

The New York Times reported that arrests started at around 6.30 pm on Madison Avenue a block away from the gala. At least one helicopter was heard circling the area. An NYPD spokesperson said officers took 27 protesters into custody, according to Axios.

Meanwhile, some pro-Israel demonstrators also gathered nearby.