Pro-Palestine group light up Auckland’s War Memorial Museum in colours of flag

Pro-Palestine protesters covered the lights at Auckland Museum with red and green cellophane and illuminated the building in the colours of the Palestine flag last night.

The protest was attended by around 100 people, who were encouraged to “bring keffiyehs, flags, cars, posters and voices” in a social media post that went up shortly before the gathering in front of the Auckland Museum.

Since the Museum wasn’t willing to light up in the Palestinian colours, we did it ourselves. Free Palestine is the forever motto. 🇵🇸🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/VihQc7s0fD

— KHADIJA (@Kdijii) November 7, 2023

“Let’s cover the museum lights with red and green cellophane to illuminate the building in the colours of Palestine,” the post read.

Another post on former Twitter platform X showed a photo of the museum bathed in green and red with the comment: “Since the museum wasn’t willing to light up in the Palestinian colours, we did it ourselves. Free Palestine is the forever motto.”

Police said they had a “presence at the Auckland War Memorial Museum last night from around 7pm, after reports that over 100 people had gathered to protest.”

They found “no offending was occurring and left the scene just before 9.30pm”.

The covering of the lights in red and green came after the Auckland Museum illuminated the same lights blue and white in support of Israel on October 15. This drew criticism, with pro-Palestine supporters “blacking out” the museum lights.

That prompted museum chief executive David Reeves to apologise and acknowledge the depth of feeling around the issue.

“We wanted this to be an expression of hope for peace – our approach was wrong, and I personally apologise for the distress and hurt caused to members of our community,” Reeves said at the time.

“I am carefully reviewing and reflecting on all of the feedback we have received and as a War Memorial Museum we continue to hope for deeper understanding and a peaceful resolution to conflict.”

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick was one of the voices who condemned the museum for its initial support of Israel and called it “despicable” during her controversial speech on Saturday at a rally at the Auckland Domain.

“Right here, within the boundaries of [the electorate of] Auckland Central, I will be continuing to hold that War Museum to account,” she said.

The museum confirmed the Pro-Palestine protest had occurred but would not comment further.

“We can confirm that a number of people covered the museum’s lights yesterday evening. If you are seeking further comment, please contact NZ Police,” a spokesperson said in a statement.