At least eight people who took part in an anti-Israel protest in the nation’s capital on Wednesday are facing federal criminal charges following clashes with police.
But Fox News learned that the Washington district attorney dropped lesser charges against several other people arrested at the protests, though authorities stressed that it was an ongoing investigation and that more charges could be filed.
The US Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC, charged Frederick Coates, Crow Momamome and Antonio Somerville with attempted possession of a dangerous weapon. Zachary Kamm was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer. Nathaniel Lawrence, Sonia Krishnan and Roger Miller were charged with attempted theft. Essa Edgellat was charged with making threats in connection to the protests.
Many of those arrested Wednesday will not be charged at this stage of the investigation. The D.C. Attorney General’s office has filed 11 “undocumented” cases in which charges have been dropped: three for crossing a police line, five for “disturbance of the peace – incitement to violence,” and three for “disturbance of the peace – causing unreasonable fear,” all misdemeanors.
Kamala Harris responds to anti-Israel riots at Washington’s Union Station
Anti-Israel demonstrators holding portraits of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest in front of the White House on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC, condemning a meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu. (Andrew Thomas/AFP via Getty Images)
Additionally, there are five cases involving alleged “crowding, obstruction and inconvenience” for which prosecutors have yet to decide on charges.
The D.C. attorney general’s office is in charge of prosecuting minor crimes related to the protests, while more serious charges are handled by federal prosecutors.
An official with the D.C. attorney’s office told Fox News that the office does not comment on charging decisions, but noted that prosecutors consider factors such as an individual’s ability to prove a particular case in court and their criminal history when exercising their discretion to bring cases.
Anti-Israel protesters descended on Washington DC on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed parliament, quickly descending into chaos.
Check it out: The most dramatic photos from Wednesday’s pro-Hamas demonstration in Washington DC
Activists cheer as they burn the flag and an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-Israel protest near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on July 24, 2024. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Fox News saw at least one protester, his face covered, holding up what appeared to be a flag of the terrorist group Hamas, while others could be heard chanting “Allah is great.”
At Union Station, agitators burned an American flag and destroyed a statue reading “Here Comes Hamas.” Rioters also tore down the American flag and replaced it with the Palestinian flag.
Biden meets with Netanyahu as anti-Israel protesters rally at White House
A worker cleans graffiti off a fountain in front of the entrance to Union Station in Washington, DC, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Matty Neretin/CNP, Fox News Digital)
The White House issued a statement condemning the protests, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said some demonstrators had committed “despicable acts” and used “hateful and dangerous rhetoric.”
“I condemn any individuals associated with Hamas, a brutal terrorist organization vowed to destroy the state of Israel and kill Jewish people,” Harris said.
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“Graffiti and speech in support of Hamas is abhorrent and must not be tolerated in our country.”
Notably, federal prosecutors did not file charges of destruction of government property against anyone arrested Wednesday. Under federal law, individuals convicted of causing or attempting to cause damage to government property exceeding $1,000 can be fined or sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
Kerri Kupec of Fox News and Timothy H.J. Nerozzi of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
