One arrested after DC monuments vandalized during pro-Palestine demonstration

Videos from the event show demonstrators yelling "Allahu Akbar" outside of the White House fence

Published: November 5, 2023 2:46pm

Just one person was arrested although several D.C. monuments were vandalized while tens of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators demanded Israel agree to a ceasefire with the terrorist organization Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.

"Several minor incidents, including property damage, were reported during First Amendment activity in the District this weekend. "There were no major incidents reported," D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department stated.

Police said they received reports of several "minor" property damage and vandalism incidents. "One adult male was arrested for Destruction of Property in the 700 block of 17th Street, Northwest," the department also said. "In addition, MPD is currently investigating acts of vandalism that damaged the McPherson Square Metro Station and several police vehicles."

The area where the man was arrested is where the New Executive Office Building and the Smithsonian's Renwick Art Gallery are located.

Videos from the event show demonstrators yelling "Allahu Akbar" outside of the White House fence, which is covered in signs supporting their cause.

Various messages can be seen spray painted on buildings and monuments, including "Death to Israel, "F*** Israel" and "Glory 2 the martyrs." The term "martyrs" in Arabic is widely used in Palestinian culture to refer to the deaths of both civilians and terrorists who died fighting or committing acts of terrorism against Israel or were killed in Israeli attacks. Other pictures show that the protest resulted in graffiti on statues and the White House gate covered with red handprints.

The demonstration came four weeks after Hamas terrorists entered Israel, killing more than 1,400 people, including at least 31 U.S. civilians, and kidnapping more than 200 others. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health ministry has claimed around 10,000 deaths, but Western officials, including President Joe Biden, have expressed doubts about their statistics.

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