News

Authorities Report No Arrests In Anti-Israel Protest That Vandalized Park Near White House

   DailyWire.com
Pro-Palestinian activists leave Palestinian flags and graffiti on the General Andrew Jackson Statue in Lafayette Park next to the White House during a demonstration.
(Photo by Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Various law enforcement agencies said they did not make any arrests related to the anti-Israel protest on Saturday in which people trashed a park next to the White House.

The Secret Service, D.C. police, and U.S. Park Police told The Washington Free Beacon that they did not detain anyone in connection to the demonstration at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., that left a number of statues vandalized.

As noted by NBC News, police said they attempted to arrest one person who climbed a statue, but that individual got away as members of the crowd intervened and officers deployed pepper spray.

Police officers walked out of the park while being followed by some of the protesters as chants of “You have to leave” morphed into “F*** the police,” as shown in video posted to X by reporter Julio Rosas.

“Anti-Israel protesters formed a mob and chased US Park Police and Secret Service out of Lafayette Square after officers apparently tried to arrest someone,” Rosas said. “Police are no longer inside the park and are on the boundaries of the protest.”

Other clips posted to social media showed people had climbed onto statues covered with graffiti, set off a red smoke bomb, and unfurled a red banner meant to surround the White House and depict their “red line” on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Protesters gathered to call on President Joe Biden to cut military aid to Israel and demand a ceasefire in the Gaza war against Hamas. However, Biden was in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day invasion.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

The Washington Post reported that National Park Service staff power-washed sculptures on Sunday and an agency spokesperson said that “notable damage includes graffiti, damage to some structures and damage to park infrastructure in Lafayette Park.”

Several lawmakers, particularly Republicans, responded with outrage to images of the statues being covered in spray paint with messages such as “Free Gaza” before crews had cleaned them up.

“This is the disgusting, disgraceful behavior we’ve come to expect from terrorist sympathizers,” said Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who is a contender to become former President Donald Trump’s running mate this election cycle.

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
Download Daily Wire Plus

Don't miss anything

Download our App

Stay up-to-date on the latest
news, podcasts, and more.

Download on the app storeGet it on Google Play
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Authorities Report No Arrests In Anti-Israel Protest That Vandalized Park Near White House