A teenager has been arrested for defacing a World War I memorial in Central Park, prompting condemnation from officials and the launch of an investigation into the incident. The incident occurred during anti-Israel protests, raising concerns about the targeting of historical monuments and the potential escalation of tensions.
In a brazen act of vandalism, a 16-year-old anti-Israel agitator has been arrested for defacing a revered World War I memorial in New York City's Central Park. The incident has sparked outrage and an ongoing investigation, raising concerns about the targeting of historical monuments amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The memorial, which honors the 107th United States Infantry, depicts seven U.S. Army soldiers valiantly fighting during the Battle of the Hindenburg Line in 1918. On Monday, May 6, 2024, it was defaced by the teenager, who spray-painted "Gaza" in red across the base of the structure.
Video footage captured by bystanders shows the teen in the act of vandalizing the memorial. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released an image of the perpetrator in handcuffs, his face blurred for legal reasons.
According to the NYPD, the teen was identified and arrested thanks to the efforts of police officers and a school safety agent. The suspect is a regular participant in rallies organized by the anti-Israel group Within Our Lifetime. He has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, which are felonies, and two counts of making graffiti, a class A misdemeanor.
The incident occurred during anti-Israel protests in the area near Hunter College and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Met Gala. Protesters placed pro-Palestinian stickers on the memorial, spray-painted "Free Gaza," and burned an American flag at the site.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry condemned the vandalism as an act of desecration. "The despicable vandalism we saw earlier this week on the WWI Memorial will not be ignored, and will not go unpunished," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "One of the culprits was placed in handcuffs today thanks to the World’s Greatest Detectives. This isn’t simply juvenile hijinks -- it’s an act of desecration that undermines the freedoms our heroes fought and died for."
NYC Mayor Eric Adams pledged $5,000 of his own money to help catch the perpetrators and prevent further attacks on memorials. The Mayor said the vandalism was an "affront to our city and country" and an "insult to the brave men who served in the 107th United States Infantry."
Officials emphasized the unique significance of this memorial in honoring the ordinary soldiers who fought in World War I, unlike many other monuments that commemorate high-ranking military leaders. "This is a [monument] to the Doughboys," said Zachary Iscol, commissioner of the city's Department of Emergency Management.
The vandalism of the World War I memorial has sparked outrage and concern, highlighting the need for increased vigilance in protecting historical monuments and memorials. The incident also raises questions about the potential escalation of tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact of such protests on local communities and historical sites.
Fox News' Louis Casiano and Lissa Kaplan contributed to this report.
