Protestors stand next to the Brooklyn Museum’s ‘OY/YO’ sculpture after it was graffitied during a protest on May 31st [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

New York, June 1 (RHC)-- Scuffles broke out with police as anti-war protesters occupied the lobby of the Brooklyn Museum in New York City on Friday.  Police said arrests had been made at the art museum, which was forced to close early due to the disruption, but they would not be able to give an accurate figure on how many for several hours.

A banner was hung from the museum building saying: “Free Palestine, Divest From Genocide” -- while a man was arrested for graffitiing on a sculpture.

“There was damage to existing and newly installed artwork on our plaza,” a museum spokesperson told the Reuters news agency.  “Protesters entered the building, and our public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed.”