Protestors vandalized the NY Public Library yesterday.

[lapucelle]

172. You're wrong about the ease of repairing the damage done to the landmarked library.

Protesters have caused at least $75,000 in graffiti damage to the famous New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman building, where some carved reliefs may need to be replaced.

The damage was caused by at least three separate pro-Palestinian protests over the last few weeks, officials said. The worst damage, however, occurred on Thanksgiving Day when protesters sprayed “Free Palestine” in dark green paint and smeared red handprints on the steps, fountain and facade.

The protests that day also included efforts to disrupt the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and resulted in 34 arrests. Of those, 30 people were given court summons. It’s unclear how many of those arrests, if any, happened at the library.

The cleanup costs come as New York’s libraries brace for steep budget cuts, and have already canceled Sunday service starting next week.

https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-public-library-facing-steep-graffiti-cleanup-costs-after-protests