Arrest and Charges
A woman involved in vandalizing the homes of Brooklyn Museum’s leaders amid pro-Palestinian protests has been arrested on hate crimes charges. Taylor Pelton, 28, was arrested on Wednesday, facing charges of criminal mischief and criminal mischief as a hate crime, according to police.
Incident Details
Police report that Pelton was one of six individuals captured on surveillance video vandalizing the homes of Brooklyn Museum Director Anne Pasternak and museum President and Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Trueblood on June 12. The suspects used red paint and hung banners with messages like “BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS” and “WHITE SUPREMACIST, FUNDS GENOCIDE.”
Symbolic Vandalism
An inverted red triangle, identified by authorities as a symbol used by Hamas to target Israeli military, was spray-painted on Pasternak’s door. Both Pasternak and Trueblood are prominent figures in the art community.
Legal Proceedings
Pelton was arraigned on Wednesday night and released under court supervision. Her attorney, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, criticized the charges, stating, “the increasing trend of characterizing Palestine solidarity actions as hate crimes.”
Official Reactions
Mayor Eric Adams and other officials condemned the vandalism. Adams labeled it as “overt, unacceptable antisemitism” and emphasized that it was not a form of peaceful protest or free speech.
Context of the Incident
The vandalism occurred days after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched to the Brooklyn Museum and occupied its lobby. Museum officials emphasized the importance of distinguishing between peaceful protest and criminal acts in their response to the incident.
