Photographer Arrested for Vandalism at Brooklyn Museum Director’s Home
A journalist was arrested for participating in an act of vandalism at the home of the director of the Brooklyn Museum. The incident took place on June 12, when pro-Palestinian protesters threw red paint outside the building where Brooklyn Museum executive director Anne Pasternak lives. In a surprising turn of events, independent photographer Samuel Seligson, who was documenting the protest, was charged with a hate crime for his presence at the scene.
Questionable Charges and Legal Defense
Seligson’s attorney, Leena Widdi, strongly refuted the criminal charges, calling them an “egregious” overreach. She argued that Seligson’s presence and actions at the protest were protected by the First Amendment and were consistent with his duties as a journalist. Despite being a regular at New York City protests and supplying footage to mainstream media outlets, Seligson found himself on the wrong side of the law in this instance.
Context and Motivation Behind the Vandalism
The vandalism at the director’s home was part of a larger protest against the museum’s investments in companies with ties to the Israeli military. Activists, including Seligson, were responding to what they saw as a betrayal by the museum when police were called during a previous protest on May 31. The incident led to the arrest of several individuals and set the stage for the subsequent vandalism.
Overall, the case highlights the complex intersection of free speech, activism, and law enforcement, raising questions about the line between documenting events as a journalist and being implicated in them as a participant.
