Protesters gathered outside the Met Gala on Monday night, voicing concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Groups gathered with signs condemning the celebration while bombs dropped in Gaza and calling for liberation. Some protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted as they marched along Fifth Avenue. The police created barriers to keep protesters at a distance from the event, but this did not deter some who felt that the police presence was overbearing and arrests were made unnecessarily. Counterprotesters, including a 19-year-old Yeshiva University student draped in an Israeli flag, also made their presence known in the area.
The atmosphere in the area was tense as protesters, event attendees, and commuters vied for space on the crowded sidewalks. Some bystanders referred to the protests as antisemitic and anti-American, reflecting the diverse opinions and emotions surrounding the conflict in Gaza and the Met Gala. Alice Farley, a 73-year-old performance artist, stood her ground with a sign calling for a ceasefire, highlighting the range of participants in the protests. The protests were part of a larger trend of campus and community activism around issues of social justice that have led to changes in various institutions.
The protesters represented a mix of ages and backgrounds, with a wide range of opinions and motivations for participating in the demonstration. Some protesters had been involved in similar actions since childhood, while others were there to show solidarity with civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. The arrival of celebrities and glamorous attendees at the Met Gala provided a stark contrast to the seriousness of the protesters’ message. One man, wearing a kaffiyeh and riding a Citi Bike, confronted onlookers with a message to stop sending bombs to kill civilians, only to be met with indifference and jokes from some in the crowd.
Despite the tension and differing perspectives on display, the protests remained largely peaceful, with participants voicing their concerns in a variety of ways. Some chose to march and chant, while others held signs expressing their desires for peace and justice. The large police presence in the area did not deter the protesters, who continued to advocate for their cause in the face of challenges and opposition. The protests at the Met Gala underscored the relevance and impact of social justice movements in current events and highlighted the power of collective action in raising awareness and effecting change.
