NYPD releases pic of keffiyeh-wearing protester wanted for setting US flag on fire in front of WWI memorial

Tina Moore
·2 min read
composite image: left protester in red shirt with black bag across their chest with their face covered; upper right protester holding the american flag; lower right the flag burning on the ground while the protester stands over it
composite image: left protester in red shirt with black bag across their chest with their face covered; upper right protester holding the american flag; lower right the flag burning on the ground while the protester stands over it

Police released a photo of a keffiyeh-wearing protester wanted for lighting a U.S. flag aflame at an pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of a WWI memorial in the city earlier this week.

The unidentified male is wanted for allegedly snatching the flag from a woman, 48, as she waved it, before he lit it on fire during the unruly demonstration at Fifth Avenue and East 67th Street around 6:30 p.m. Monday, cops said.

The male in the photo is hardly visible as the Palestinian scarf covers most of his face.

Police have released images of the protester wanted for burning the American flag at a demonstration earlier this week. Jack Morphet/NY Post
Police have released images of the protester wanted for burning the American flag at a demonstration earlier this week. Jack Morphet/NY Post
The protester, whose face was covered, was caught on camera. Jack Morphet/NY Post
The protester, whose face was covered, was caught on camera. Jack Morphet/NY Post

The flag-burning suspect is described as a male with a light complexion and medium build. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, black shorts and a black book bag, according to cops.

A 16-year-old, anti-Israel protester who allegedly vandalized the 107th Infantry Memorial at the same protest was arrested Friday, cops said.

He was charged with criminal mischief in the third degree, a felony, and making graffiti, which is a misdemeanor.

The person in the photo is hardly visible as a scarf covers most of his face. Jack Morphet/NY Post
The person in the photo is hardly visible as a scarf covers most of his face. Jack Morphet/NY Post

The bronze memorial depicts seven WWI foot soldiers in battle.

Several other protesters were caught on video climbing on top of the infantrymen while waving Palestinian flags.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.