Current:Home > ContactVirginia man charged with defacing monument during Netanyahu protests in DC -VisionFunds
Virginia man charged with defacing monument during Netanyahu protests in DC
View
Date:2025-04-17 11:05:04
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! (6)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Protesters in Lebanon decrying Gaza hospital blast clash with security forces near U.S. Embassy
- Woman in critical condition after shoved into moving subway train: Police
- Drone attack on base hosting US troops intercepted in Iraq, heightening fears of a broader conflict
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Europol says Islamist terrorism remains the biggest terror threat to Western Europe
- Rep. Jim Jordan again facing scrutiny for OSU scandal amid House speaker battle
- Tulsa massacre survivor, residents push for justice, over a century after killings
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Chicago’s top cop says using police stations as short-term migrant housing is burden for department
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Detroit casino workers launch strike for better pay and benefits
- Florida police officer charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment of tourist
- When We Were Young in Las Vegas: What to know about 2023 lineup, set times, tickets
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- US eases oil, gas and gold sanctions on Venezuela after electoral roadmap signed
- Italian lawmakers approve 10 million euros for long-delayed Holocaust Museum in Rome
- A bloody hate crime draws rabbis, Muslims together in mourning for slain 6-year-old boy
Recommendation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Down, but not out: Two Argentine political veterans seek to thwart upstart populist
John Legend says he wants to keep his family protected with updated COVID vaccine
Help! What should I be for Halloween?
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
New Jersey man says $175,000 in lottery winnings 'came at perfect time' for family
Jim Jordan lost a second House speaker vote. Here's what happens next.
Hitting the snooze button won't hurt your health, new sleep research finds