In a shocking act of vandalism, pro-Palestinian protesters marred the renowned façade of the New York Public Library's landmark Manhattan building during recent demonstrations. The library now faces cleanup costs estimated at $75,000, as well as the potential replacement of carved marble reliefs on its flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman building.

Library spokeswoman Jennifer Fermino expressed her dismay, stating, "On Thanksgiving, individuals involved in a protest engaged in a shameful act of vandalism to the Library's flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman building, a space devoted to the open exchange of ideas and intellectual debate. This comes at a time when the city's libraries are facing steep budget cuts that have left us unable to maintain our current levels of service, and this vandalism will be costly to repair."

The extensive damage occurred following disruptions caused by hundreds of protesters during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Clad in white jumpsuits and covered in fake blood, some demonstrators glued their hands to the street on Sixth Avenue. Subsequently, a group of protesters made their way to the library's Fifth Avenue entrance, defacing the marble bases of the building's iconic columns and spray painting the words "free Palestine" in dark green.

Garrett Bergen, the library's director of facilities, expressed concerns about the difficulty of cleaning the delicate marble surfaces without causing further damage. In some cases, if the damage proves too severe, certain elements might need to be replaced entirely. Bergen emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the restoration process, stating, "We could have to replace certain elements if a rosette is too damaged for the paint to be removed. So it's a little unclear."

Detailed images of the damage reveal thick red paint pooling at the base of the columns, dripping down the library's steps. This act of vandalism is an additional burden for the library, as it already faces budget cuts under the Adams administration.

The targeted building itself is named after Stephen A. Schwarzman, a wealthy Jewish businessman and philanthropist who generously donated $100 million toward the library's expansion in 2008.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that at least 34 protesters were arrested on Thursday, charged with various offenses including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and harassment. The number of arrests made near the library remains undisclosed due to its closure for the holiday.

The New York Public Library now faces a significant financial setback in order to restore its iconic flagship building to its former glory. The act of vandalism has not only defaced a symbol of intellectual exchange but has also highlighted the library's struggle amid budget cuts.