Anti-Israel protesters and Hamas sympathizers who insulted Union Station in Washington DC have now learned their fate.
At least eight people who participated in Wednesday’s anti-Israel protest during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech now face federal criminal charges for defacing federal property and fighting with police.
However, charges against some protesters have been dropped by more lenient prosecutors in Washington DC
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, Frederick Coates, Crow Momamome and Antonio Somerville have all been charged with attempting to carry a dangerous weapon.
Nathaniel Lawrence, Sonia Krishan and Roger Miller have been charged with attempted robbery.
Zachary Kam has been charged with two counts of assault on a police officer.
And Essa Ejelat has been charged with making threats.
The American flag was reportedly taken down from a flagpole outside the Union Station train station in Washington DC before being set alight by anti-Israel protesters. The demonstration began outside Capitol Hill during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. Protesters then marched to the century-old train station and burned the flag and defaced monuments.
Authorities also said the protest, which began at the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol and then moved to the train station, was still under investigation and that updates were possible.
In addition to those charged, numerous protesters have been arrested who will not be charged. Fox News reports.
The Washington, DC, attorney general’s office has dropped at least 11 cases, meaning charges have been dropped.
Three of those three were charges of crossing police lines, five of disturbing public order and inciting violence, and three of causing unreasonable fear.
All charges are misdemeanors.
The report also shows that there are still five cases pending for obstruction and crowding. However, the Public Prosecution Service has not yet decided whether to file charges.
Protesters set fire to an American flag at Union Station
2022 Miss Maryland Teen USA Sonia Krishan, also spelled Soniya Krishan. The former pageant winner was among those who rioted at an anti-Israel protest in Washington on Wednesday, where American flags were burned. The beauty queen, a former Miss Maryland Teen USA, is listed on a court docket as charged along with nine others with at least five felonies for their actions during the protest outside Union Station in the nation’s capital.
She has reportedly been charged with alleged theft
Some protesters wrote messages of support for the terrorist group Hamas on public monuments
Police officers attempt to stop pro-Palestinian protesters from taking down an American flag outside Union Station
Pro-Palestinian protesters burn an American flag and an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday
Pro-Palestinian protesters and police clash at Union Station
‘Hamas is coming’ is written in red on the Columbus Fountain
Lesser offenses committed during protests are typically handled by the Washington, DC, attorney general’s office, while more serious charges are handled by federal prosecutors.
One of the protesters at Wednesday’s demonstration had his face covered as he shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Fox News reported.
Others carried a Hamas flag and wore clothing with the terrorist group’s emblem.
“Hamas is coming” was written in graffiti on the Columbus Fountain at the century-old train station.
The Israeli prime minister, who began and ended his address to Congress on Wednesday with a standing ovation, railed against anti-Israel protesters during his speech.
“Some of these protesters are holding up signs saying ‘Gays for Gaza,’” he said, to loud applause.
“They might as well be holding up signs that say, ‘Chickens for KFC,’” he continued, prompting laughter from the audience.
Netanyahu spoke during his speech about the importance of the US-Israel relationship, stressing that the close ties between the two sides have played an important role in the Jewish people’s fight against the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
“America and Israel must stand strong together,” Netanyahu exclaimed, earning a standing ovation.
“When we work together, something very simple happens: we win and they lose.”
Graffiti at Union Station during a demonstration against Israeli operations in Gaza
Police Arrest Pro-Palestinian Protester at Union Station
Hundreds of people flocked to the train station for the anti-Israel protest
After the protesters were evicted from Union Station, a group of lawmakers channeled their inner UNC sorority member — just like those who held the flag aloft during the anti-Israel protests in April — and held a ceremony to reattach the flag to the terminal.
The group of lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, marched to Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night to replace the American flag that had been torn down and burned in protest of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress.
In scenes reminiscent of the fraternity brothers who protected the flag during protests at the University of North Carolina, the group of Republicans, including Reps. Rudy Yakym (Indiana), Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin), Morgan Luttrell (Texas) and Brandon Williams (New York), raised the flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Earlier in the day, violent scenes broke out among officers as thousands of protesters descended on Washington DC to voice their anger at the Israeli Prime Minister over the war in Gaza.