1000’s of protesters marched to the American Museum of Pure Historical past (AMNH) in New York Metropolis on Saturday afternoon, November 25, as a part of an enormous motion in assist of Gaza, the place Israeli forces have killed greater than 14,000 Palestinians over the previous month and a half. After practically seven weeks of continuous bombings following Hamas’s October 7 assault, Israel agreed to a “humanitarian pause” final week which was extended right this moment for 2 extra days.
Activists gathered at 2pm at Columbus Circle, some 20 blocks south of AMNH. Organizers who spoke to Hyperallergic stated that by the point they reached the museum round 4:30pm, the establishment had shut its doorways forward of its regular 5:30pm closing time. Images present barricades blocking the protestors from the constructing’s entrance and police standing between the metallic limitations and the museum doorways. Nevertheless, the AMNH disputed the organizers’ account, telling Hyperallergic that the museum really stayed open later than regular, till 6pm, as a result of vacation and that it admitted guests till 5:15pm.
The motion, organized by the advocacy teams Inside Our Lifetime and Decolonize This Place (DTP), was described as an “anti-colonial tour,” in step with initiatives such because the “anti-Columbus Day tour” organized in Manhattan in recent times. Activists handed out leaflets itemizing AMNH shows linked to colonialism, such because the Hall of African Peoples and the Native tradition shows contained in the Northwest Coast Hall.
“AMNH is a bastion of colonial historical past and Indigenous genocide, as they maintain the stays of over 12,000 people, together with these of Indigenous folks,” stated Nerdeen Kiswani, who spoke on the motion. She additionally referred to as out the museum’s acceptance of funds from company patrons linked to Zionist people and rules, such because the Financial institution of New York Mellon, which facilitates a charity for the Israeli navy and holds investments in Israeli protection contractor Elbit Programs. AMNH has not responded to Hyperallergic’s quick request for touch upon the financial institution’s monetary sponsorship of the museum.
“AMNH is a vital place to focus on for protests as we’re witnessing a genocide of Indigenous Palestinians take plaza in Gaza proper now,” Kiswani continued, including that it was very important the motion happen this previous weekend, a day after Black Friday. “The USA is celebrating an Indigenous genocide disguised as Thanksgiving because it continues to fund and supply the weapons for Israel’s ongoing mass execution of Palestinians proper now.”
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