Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced the indictment of James Carlson, a 40-year-old Brooklyn man who burned an Israeli flag at a Columbia University protest. He is not a student or faculty member.
The incident happened on April 20 when he stole an Israeli flag from a Jewish man and began burning it with a lighter, though the man was able to get it back to prevent him from “fully lighting the flag on fire,” the D.A. report states.
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Carlson–who police have called a “longtime anarchist,” according to the NY Post–was arrested on April 30 when he went to another campus protest and unlawfully entered Hamilton Hall. He caught a trespassing charge for this incident, which is being handled separately.
He’s also being charged with damaging police property, as he “kicked and broke a glass panel in a holding cell.”
For the flag-burning incident, Carlson is being charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief (one felony, one misdemeanor) and arson.
“This defendant’s alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with the NYPD and local colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students, staff and community members during any protest or demonstration.”
According to the Post, Carlson comes from a very wealthy and well-connected family, and has arrests dating back to 2005.
For free speech reasons, burning of national flags is not illegal.
What’s he being charged with starting a fire without a permit?
If you read the article it says “he stole the flag” and “This defendant’s alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others…”.
USW lifer,
Reread the headline and what Bragg said, the charges aren’t specifically spelled out by Bragg.
The headline remains misleading at best, and quite possibly prevarication.
Sad how you find humor in it. Speaks volumes….
Ish,
Nope. Misrepresenting what I wrote doesn’t help you out, unless the point is to further undermine your claims.