Arrest Made in Vandalism of Brooklyn Museum Executives’ Home
On July 31, 2024, police announced that one of the suspects wanted in connection with the vandalism of a Brooklyn home where two Brooklyn Museum executives lived has been apprehended. Taylor Pelton, 28, was arrested at her residence in Queens and charged with a hate crime.
The Vandalism Incident and Motive
The vandalism occurred on June 12, when Pelton and five others threw red paint outside the residence of executive director Anne Pasternak in Brooklyn Heights. Additionally, an inverted red triangle, a symbol associated with marking targets for elimination, was drawn on the door. The incident was believed to be a response to the museum’s investment in companies with ties to the Israeli military.
Connection to Pro-Palestinian Protests and Ongoing Vandalism
Footage of the vandalism was shared on social media by A15 Actions, a group protesting against entities they believe are involved in the conflict in Gaza. The vandalism was attributed to “artists and cultural workers” who felt betrayed by the museum’s actions during a protest on May 31. At the same time, pro-Palestinian protesters demanded the museum divest from Israel, leading to confrontations both outside and inside the museum.
Following these events, there were additional instances of red paint vandalism targeting locations associated with Israel and Palestine, including the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations and the German consulate in Manhattan. Pelton is expected to face charges related to similar acts of vandalism in Manhattan on the same day as the incidents in Brooklyn.
Overall, the incidents reflect a larger context of tensions and activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the museum’s investment decisions becoming a focal point for protest and vandalism.
