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NYPL Cancels Event Co-Hosted By Saudi Crown Prince's Charity, Following Outcry
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 18, 2019
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Courtesy Rose Asaf
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 18, 2019
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The New York Public Library has cancelled an upcoming forum organized by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s personal foundation, following public pressure from human rights advocates.
Billed as a global youth summit, the 300-person workshop was scheduled to take place at the library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman branch on Monday afternoon, coinciding with the start of United Nations General Assembly Week. The event was co-organized by the UN’s Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth and the MiSK Foundation, the controversial charity organization established by bin Salman.
The Saudi foundation, which is active in American philanthropic circles, has been decried as a propaganda tool meant to smooth over wanton human rights abuses carried out by the crown prince. It also provides financial support to the UN’s global youth development initiative.
On Wednesday afternoon, a handful of activists crashed the library’s Board of Trustees meeting, carrying signs reading “MBS out of the NYPL” and “No Bone Saws NYPL”—a reference to the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which authorities say was ordered by the Saudi leader.
But when the protesters arrived at the Lincoln Center location, they were informed by a library official that the event had been called off. “They already voted to cancel it, whatever event you are here protesting,” said one employee.
A spokesperson for the library confirmed the cancellation to Gothamist following the meeting.
“The Library made the decision today, citing concerns about possible disruption to Library operations as well as the safety of our patrons,” the spokesperson said. “The Library was aware of public concern around the event and one of its sponsors; it is important to note that the Library never endorses its rental events, and, as per policy, only screens for religious and partisan political events.”
Activists welcomed the news, even as they questioned why the library had initially made their space available to bin Salman.
“The NYPL should never have agreed to host the Saudi dictator's fake charity to begin with, and certainly not while the Saudi monarchy is slaughtering thousands in Yemen,” Sunjeev Bery, executive director of Freedom Forward, a human rights group, told Gothamist.
“But it is good news that they are finally backing away from this dumpster fire of an event,” he added. “Libraries should never play host to bloody dictators and their propaganda.”
Advocates also drew parallels to the controversy surrounding the American Museum of Natural History earlier this year, after the institution agreed to host a gala honoring Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. That event was cancelled following sustained public outcry, but was eventually relocated to a Midtown Marriott.
It’s unclear whether the youth summit will continue at an alternate location. Efforts to reach the UN Youth Envoy and the MiSK foundation were not successful.
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new york public library
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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