In a statement, the Rubin said it opposes the trafficking of stolen or looted cultural items, has not knowingly acquired looted objects and remains committed to conducting provenance research of its entire collection, which could result in repatriation.

Qiuyuhong Lu, a former intern at the Rubin and part of the Himalayan diaspora, visited the museum with her sketchbook for some last drawings of items on display. She said she has mixed emotions on the calls for repatriation.

“Morally speaking, I would love for them to be returned,” she said. “But at the same time, it also poses a difficult situation for people like me. I’ve never been to where my heritage is from. If I want to go see it, where is it going to be?”