New York City police have arrested a teenager suspected of vandalizing the World War I memorial in Central Park.
On Monday, a group of anti-Israel demonstrators desecrated the 107th Infantry Memorial on the edge of Central Park on the Upper East Side. Protesters defaced the monument by spray-painting “Gaza” and “Free Palestine,” while others burned an American flag near the monument.
“These people are just crazy and violent.”
A group of anti-Israel protesters reportedly tried to disrupt the Met Gala, but police stopped them. They apparently made peace by destroying the war memorial instead.
On Thursday, New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry announced the arrest of one of the suspected vandals, a 16-year-old boy. According to the New York Post.
“The despicable vandalism we saw at the First World War Memorial earlier this week will not go unheeded or unpunished. Thanks to some of the world’s best detectives, one of the perpetrators was handcuffed today. “This is not just youthful hijinx. It is an act of sacrilege that undermines the freedoms that our heroes fought for and died for,” Daughtry said on social media.
Investigators were able to identify the boy with the help of “school safety personnel,” Fox News reported. report.
The teenager was charged with four crimes, including two counts of third-degree criminal mischief (a felony) and two counts of graffiti (a misdemeanor).
Fortunately, the day after the incident, cleaning crews were able to wash away the graffiti on the war memorial.
Meanwhile, Upper East Side residents living near the monument made no secret of their feelings toward the anti-Israel demonstrators.
“These people are just crazy and violent” Michael Skol Said New York Post. “Palestinian supporters are not thinking. This is pure violence and pure stupidity.”
“In this country, you have the right to express your opinion, but don’t destroy the monuments that honor the heroes who died for our country,” Ron Zacher added. “The protesters don’t know our history and they don’t know the sacrifices made by those who came before them.”
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