Protesters Pepper Sprayed at Air and Space Museum in DC

Protesters in DC have picked a new target: the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The Washington Post reports that the museum on the National Mall was closed this afternoon after a "large group of protesters" tried to push past security guards and enter the museum according to a Smithsonian spokeswoman. Video has emerged on YouTube and Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. John confirmed to the Post that at least one demonstrator was pepper-sprayed by a museum guard:

From the Washington Post:

"The protesters attempted to enter the museum through doors facing the National Mall. They were carrying large signs and other items not allowed inside the museum, St. John said.

When a security guard told them they could not enter, demonstrators pushed the guard outside and up against a wall, St. John said. Another guard approached and pepper-sprayed one protester before D.C. police and U.S. Park Police were called, she said. At least one protester may have been arrested."

Smithsonian spokesman John Gibbons told AP that the group of demonstrators, estimated between 100 and 200 people, arrived at about 3 p.m. Saturday. One woman was arrested.

It has not been confirmed if the group that tried to march on the Air and Space Museum is officially affiliated with OccupyDC. Stop the Machine! has claimed to have been the group pepper-sprayed at the museum.

According to the Stop the Machine! Twitter account, the group went to the Air and Space Museum to protest militarism and drones.