Anti-Israel protesters and Hamas supporters who desecrated Washington DC’s Union Station have met their fate.
At least eight people who took part in an anti-Israel protest during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Wednesday now face federal criminal charges after desecrating federal property and fighting with police.
However, more lenient prosecutors in Washington, DC, have dropped charges against some protesters.
Frederick Coates, Crow Momamome and Antonio Somerville have been charged with attempting to carry a dangerous weapon, according to the US Attorney’s Office in DC.
Nathaniel Lawrence, Sonia Krishan and Roger Miller have been charged with attempted robbery.
Zachary Kam has been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer.
And Essa Ejelat has been accused of making threats.
The American flag was reportedly removed from a flagpole outside Washington DC’s Union Station train terminal before being burned by anti-Israel protesters. The demonstration began outside the Capitol during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. Protesters then marched to the century-old train station and burned its flag and sprayed graffiti on its monuments.
Authorities also maintain that the protest, which began near the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol before heading to the train terminal, remains an open investigation and updates could be forthcoming.
In addition to those charged, there are numerous protesters who were arrested and will not face charges. Fox News reports.
The D.C. attorney general’s office has successfully had at least 11 cases declared “undocumented,” meaning the charges were dropped.
Among those three were charges of crossing police lines, five for disturbing the peace and inciting violence and three for disturbing the peace causing unreasonable fear.
All charges are misdemeanors.
The report also reveals five additional pending cases of overcrowding and obstruction, though prosecutors have yet to decide whether to file charges.
Protesters light an American flag at Union Station
Miss Maryland Teen USA 2022 Sonia Krishan, also spelled Soniya Krishan. The former beauty pageant winner was among rioters 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 in a court filing as charged, along with nine others, with at least five felony counts for 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 Hamas terrorist group on public monuments
Police officers try to stop pro-Palestinian protesters from removing an American flag in front of Union Station
Pro-Palestinian protesters burn an American flag and an effigy 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
Minor protest offenses are generally being overseen by the D.C. attorney general’s office, while more serious charges are being handled by federal prosecutors.
One protester at Wednesday’s demonstration had his face covered as he shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Fox News reports.
Others carried a Hamas flag and wore clothing bearing the terrorist group’s insignia.
“Hamas is coming,” read graffiti on the Columbus Fountain outside the century-old railway terminal.
The Israeli prime minister, who began and ended his speech to Congress on Wednesday to standing ovations, called out anti-Israel protesters during his speech.
“Some of these protesters are holding signs proclaiming ‘Gays for Gaza,'” he said to loud applause.
“They might as well hold up signs that say ‘Chickens for KFC,'” he continued, prompting laughter from the audience.
Netanyahu spoke about the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship during his speech, highlighting how the close ties between the two have been instrumental in the Jewish nation’s fight against the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
“America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu proclaimed, receiving a standing ovation in response.
“When we stick together, one simple thing happens: we win and they lose.”
Graffiti is written at Union Station during a demonstration against Israeli operations in Gaza
Police arrest pro-Palestinian protester at Union Station
Hundreds of people gathered at the train station for the anti-Israel protest.
After protesters were driven out of Union Station, a group of lawmakers channeled their more youthful UNC side (like those who raised the flag amid anti-Israel protests in April) and held a ceremony to re-attach the flag to the terminal.
The group of lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, marched to Washington, D.C.’s Union Station 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 of Indiana, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Morgan Luttrell of Texas, and Brandon Williams of New York, hung the flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Earlier in the day, officers were involved in violent scenes as thousands of protesters descended on Washington DC to express their anger at the Israeli Prime Minister over the war in Gaza.
