Anti-Israel protesters spray US memorials

May 8, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Anti-Israel activists vandalized American monuments to World War I veterans and a Union Civil War general and burned an American flag during New York City’s Day of Rage protest that coincided with Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday.

The One Hundred and Seventh Infantry Memorial in Central Park, dedicated to American infantry who fell in battle during the war, was desecrated with stickers and graffiti proclaiming “Free Gaza” or “Free Palestine,” according to photographs released by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations. New York Police Department, Kaz. Daughter.

The statue was also labeled with a red triangle, a symbol used in Hamas propaganda to indicate a target. A protester set fire to the American flag at the base of the statue, according to the New York Post.

The Sherman Memorial on Grand Army Plaza honoring Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was also vandalized with graffiti similar to that on the infantry memorial, a “Free Gaza” scrawl that included the anarchist “A” in the spelling of the Palestinian territory.

“F**K Empire,” the graffiti read. “The NYPD is the same as the KKK (Ku Klux Klan).”

Protecting American symbols

Image of protesters defacing World War I and Civil War memorials. Uploaded 8/5/2024 (credit: NYPD)

Mayor Eric Adams held a news conference Tuesday in front of the Central Park memorial, harshly rebuking the “cowards” who vandalized the statue.

“I want to be extremely clear, despite the unpopular notion that people don’t want to say it, I want to say it: I love America,” Adams said. “And I am proud to be a citizen of the United States. And the reason we are here is because of men and women like this statue behind us, and we cannot remain silent when our symbols of freedom are desecrated by people who hate our country. and we hate our way of life.”

Adams recalled the memory of his uncle, who died fighting in the Vietnam War, and said it was painful for him and many other Americans to see the desecration of the memory of those who fought for rights that had been used by anti-Israel protesters. during their demonstrations. Free speech is important to democracy, Adams said, and while “civil disobedience and peaceful protest are welcome in our city,” he warned in X that “vandalism and hate are not.”

The mayor announced that he was offering a $5,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the Central Park vandals, adding to a $10,000 reward from the New York Police Department for those who deface the Sherman monument. The NYPD said they were wanted for criminal mischief.

“I want to assure you that the NYPD, backed by our best detectives, is actively investigating this heinous crime. We will spare no effort until the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Daughtry said. “Let this serve as a warning to anyone who dares to deface our city’s monuments: there will be consequences.”

Florida Congressman Brian Mast denounced the burning of the flag on social media and criticized the protesters.

“I lost both legs in battle while defending our nation. I will never stop fighting for America,” Mast wrote. “These repulsive actions demonstrate how deeply rooted hatred toward the United States is among these pro-Hamas protesters.”

Adams said city workers cleaned the monuments, despite some difficulties due to materials.

The Day of Rage event, organized by the NYU Palestinian Solidarity Coalition and Within Our Lifetime, came in response to reports of Israeli military actions against the Hamas stronghold in Rafah. WOL said protesters were “flooding” the streets of New York City, echoing rhetoric frequently used to mention Hamas’ operational name for the October 7 massacre, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The announcement for the event showed a protester making the hand movement to point to the red triangle. Banners held by protesters on Monday called for “revolution until victory” and achieving the goals “by any means necessary.”

A counter-protester wearing an Israeli-themed keffiyeh was punched in the face, harassed and chased by anti-Israel activists until an NYPD officer interfered, according to Freedom News.