Current:Home > NewsVirginia man charged with defacing monument during Netanyahu protests in DC -Summit Capital Strategies
Virginia man charged with defacing monument during Netanyahu protests in DC
View
Date:2025-04-12 22:25:20
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Virginia man was arrested Friday on a charge that he spray-painted graffiti on a monument in the nation’s capital during protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress in July.
Zaid Mohammed Mahdawi, 26, of Richmond, Va., was charged in a complaint with one count of destruction of federal property. He was among thousands of protesters who gathered in Washington, D.C., on July 24 to condemn Netanyahu’s visit.
Some demonstrators who gathered outside Union Station that day removed American flags and hoisted Palestinian ones in their place. Others burned flags and sprayed graffiti on structures in Columbus Circle, in front of Union Station.
Videos posted on social media showed Mahdawi climbing the statue of Christopher Columbus in the middle of Columbus Circle and using red spray paint to write “HAMAS IS COMIN” on the monument, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. He also spray-painted an inverted red triangle above the slogan, the affidavit says.
The FBI later received a tip from a witness who knew Mahdawi from a Richmond gym and recognized his image in a police bulletin.
A group of protesters had a permit to demonstrate in front of Union Station, but the U.S. Park Police said it revoked the permit after it couldn’t reach protest organizers that afternoon. The National Park Service estimated that it cost more than $11,000 to clean up and fix damage at the site.
“Politically motivated destruction or defacing of federal property is not protected speech, it is a crime,” Matthew Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a statement.
Mahdawi was expected to make his initial court appearance in Virginia on Friday.
A Maryland woman was arrested last month on a related charge. Isabella Giordano, 20, of Towson, is accused of using red spray paint to write “Gaza” on a fountain in front of Union Station and spray-painting the base of two of the flagpoles in Columbus Circle.
veryGood! (8374)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Jelly Roll was bullied off the internet due to weight, wife Bunnie XO says: 'It hurts him'
- Why Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Are Facing Backlash Over Demolishing a Los Angeles Home
- A retirement expense of $413,000 you'll need to be prepared for
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Patti Smith was 'moved' to be mentioned on Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets Department'
- Aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan heads to the Senate for final approval after months of delay
- Internet providers roll out broadband nutrition labels for consumers
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Below Deck's Captain Kerry Titheradge Fires 3rd Season 11 Crewmember
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- What happened to Kid Cudi? Coachella set ends abruptly after broken foot
- One dead, 7 missing after 2 Japanese navy choppers crash in Pacific
- Judge OKs phone surveys of jury pool for man charged in 4 University of Idaho student deaths
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Meet California's Toy Man, a humble humanitarian who's brought joy to thousands of kids
- Tesla cuts prices around the globe amid slowing demand for its EVs
- Does at-home laser hair removal work? Yes, but not as well as you might think.
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Luke Bryan slips on fan's cellphone during concert, jokes he needed to go 'viral'
Milwaukee man charged in dismemberment death pleads not guilty
Terry Anderson, reporter held hostage for years in Lebanon, dies at 76; remembered for great bravery and resolve
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Terry Anderson, reporter held hostage for years in Lebanon, dies at 76; remembered for great bravery and resolve
U.S. agrees to withdraw troops from Niger
Minnesota state senator arrested on suspicion of burglary