Anti-Israel protester, 16, arrested for vandalizing Central Park WWI memorial
By Social Links for Joe Marino and
Social Links for Patrick Reilly
Published May 9, 2024
Updated May 10, 2024, 6:51 a.m. ET
A teenage anti-Israel protester who vandalized a World War I memorial in Central Park earlier this week has been arrested, according to the NYPD and police sources.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with criminal mischief in the third degree, a felony, and making graffiti, which is a misdemeanor, for allegedly defacing the 107th Infantry Memorial during an unruly demonstration on Monday night.
The youngster has been a regular face at rallies organized by the anti-Israel group Within Our Lifetime, according to sources.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted a blurred photo to X of the young vandal in handcuffs sitting on a bench in a police station. Sources had previously believed he was turned in by his dad Thursday night but cops have since refuted that.
“The despicable vandalism we saw earlier this week on the WWI Memorial will not be ignored, and will not go unpunished,” Daughtry tweeted as he announced one of the culprits’ arrest.
“This isn’t simply juvenile hijinks — it’s an act of desecration that undermines the freedoms our heroes fought and died for,” he added.
Sources said the youngster attends Tottenville High School and has no prior arrests.
The war memorial was defaced by several vandals who scrawled “Gaza” and “Free Palestine” on its base and plastered the statue with anti-Israel stickers.
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https://nypost.com/2024/05/09/us-news/anti-israel-protester-16-arrested-for-vandalizing-central-park-wwi-memorial/