An alarming incident unfolded at a weekend rally in Brooklyn when an anti-Israel protester openly waved the flag of Hamas, a designated terrorist group, while the New York Police Department (NYPD) faced a backlash for his management of the boisterous crowd.
During the Nakba Day protest in Bay Ridge on Saturday, the green and white flag of Hamas was proudly displayed alongside the flag of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, another terrorist organization designated by the Department of State of the USA.
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While the sickening display of support for the terrorists shocked those in attendance, videos emerged online showing New York police forcefully braking and even beating protesters while making multiple arrests. This aggressive response drew criticism from City Councilman Justin Brannan, who represented the area. Brannan stated, “There has been a Nakba Day demonstration here every year for the past decade without violence. I saw no evidence of actions by the protesters yesterday that warranted such an aggressive response from the NYPD.” .
Justin “Defund The Police” Brannan reveals himself once again https://t.co/JaxlkAfktK
— John D. Macari Jr. 🇺🇸🗽 (@JohnDMacari) May 19, 2024
Ember Ollum, a City Council employee with a controversial history, who once “urged protesters to 'throw bottles' at cops and 'surround' NYPD vans” also joined the discussion, questioning the disproportionate police presence and violent arrests compared to other events in the city. However, critics were quick to condemn the comments, pointing out the irony of criticizing law enforcement while supporting terrorists.
I don't remember so many helicopters and violent arrests when we close our avenues every two weeks during the summer for festivals. If people are suddenly carrying flags, are pedestrians on the street a threat?
— Ember loves Bay Ridge (@embernic) May 18, 2024
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Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, the executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, criticized detractors of the NYPD and those who rallied around terrorist flags. “They are criticizing the protectors, but they are praising the killers?! Isn't it outrageous to have such a perverse comparison and value system? They should be condemning Hamas instead of criticizing the police,” he said.
In support of the NYPD's response, City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov emphasized the need for proactive policing in the face of individuals who proudly wave terrorist flags and assault police officers. He applauded the NYPD for subduing violent pro-Hamas protesters, stressing that a forceful response was vital to protect innocent bystanders.
When asked about the acceptability of the Hamas flag flying at the protest, Councilor Brannan stated unequivocally: “Of course not. You have to be a true sociopath to fly a Hamas flag. Let's be clear.”
Nakba Day, which marks the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948 and is important to Palestinians, had a smaller turnout this year compared to the past. Although video footage captured clashes between police and protesters, it remains unclear what led to these incidents… or does it?
1. Here is a video that claims to show excessive police force.
2. It looks pretty damning.
3. But it does not show why this man was fixed, which makes one wonder:
4. Why did this man impale himself?
5. This needs more context.
6. I'll show you the context.
🧵
pic.twitter.com/bcBKDssfLj https://t.co/YXW7Tpi9gK— Strxwmxn (@strxwmxn) May 19, 2024
Here is the first frame of the second video. It shows protesters holding a placard, one of whom is the man who is the alleged “victim” of police brutality, marked by a green arrow (for Hamas).
I will call him Ibn FAFO.
The cop marked with the red arrow is why he was caught (for… pic.twitter.com/xVSfjDcxBf
— Strxwmxn (@strxwmxn) May 19, 2024
The Man in the Backpack is blocking the key interaction, but two frames show that Ibn FAFO is actually grabbing or pushing the Red Arrow from behind. Blue Arrow immediately moves to wrap his left arm around Ibn FAFO.
Do not physically assault a police officer from behind, ever pic.twitter.com/7FtZWIjSfO
— Strxwmxn (@strxwmxn) May 19, 2024
It turns out that Ibn FAFO can be visibly seen holding a stick, refusing to let go even after he's nailed it. I don't think I would use it to conduct an improvised orchestra.
But the true purpose of the stick is irrelevant. What matters is the perception of the police. pic.twitter.com/QYX2LeQZAN
— Strxwmxn (@strxwmxn) May 19, 2024
This fits right in with the black block tactics these instigators live by. They know that even if they initiate violence surreptitiously, they can control the narrative so that it appears to potentially sympathetic viewers that they are the victims and that the police are fascists.
— Scott Hampton ❤️💜💙 (@SHComposer) May 19, 2024
The NYPD has faced a series of anti-Israel protests in recent months following the attack on Israel by Palestinian terrorists from Hamas and the subsequent Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. While the Palestinian flag has been seen frequently at these demonstrations, the presence of the Hamas flag has been relatively rare.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, whose district covers Bay Ridge and Staten Island, clarified that most of the protesters were neither Palestinians nor local residents. He expressed confidence in the NYPD's efforts to ensure the safety of neighborhood businesses and residents.
The incident highlights the need to maintain vigilance against anti-Semitism and expresses concern about the emergence of support for terrorist groups in our communities.
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