Washington (AP) A man has been charged by federal officials with setting fire to an American flag in the nation’s capital during demonstrations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s July speech to Congress.
Durham, North Carolina resident Michael Snow Jr., 24, is accused of destroying federal property after protesters demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza tore down the flag in front of Union Station at Columbus Circle and set it on fire.
According to authorities, the footage captures Snow yelling, “I need a better lighter!” after failing to light the flag at first. Authorities claim that after receiving a container of lighter fluid, he doused the flag with it before he and another someone lit it on fire.
According to Matthew Graves, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, burning a federal flag after stealing it is damage of federal property, not speech.
A message for comment was left at a number listed for Snow in public records, and there was no attorney on the court docket.
In July, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington to denounce Netanyahu at his speech to Congress, where the prime minister made a stinging promise to defeat Hamas completely.
Protesters threw Palestinian flags in lieu of the American flags that were taken down and spray-painted graffiti on a monument commemorating Christopher Columbus outside Union Station.
The U.S. Park Police said that after failing to get in touch with the protest organizers that afternoon, they revoked the permit that a group of demonstrators had obtained to stage a demonstration in front of Union Station.
Cleaning up and repairing damage at the site cost over $11,000, according to the National Park Service.
The Associated Press, 2024. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. It is prohibited to publish, broadcast, rewrite, or redistribute this content without authorization.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!