A man from Virginia, who spray-painted a federal monument in Washington, D.C., with a pro-Hamas slogan during a demonstration near Union Station, will be going to jail for a brief period, as reported by federal authorities.
Zaid Mohammed Mahdawi, aged 26 from Richmond, received his sentencing on Friday, April 4. He was ordered to serve ten days in federal prison along with six months under supervised release following his admission of guilt regarding the charge of destroying government property, as stated by the US Attorney’s Office for Washington D.C.
The event took place on July 24, 2024, at Columbus Circle during a protest rally.
At around 3:30 p.m., Mahdawi ascended the Columbus statue and was recorded on video painting the phrase "HAMAS IS COMING" in red, alongside an upside-down triangular sign.
Authorities stated that Mahdawi had previously removed an American flag during the protest, which was subsequently taken by another individual. The demonstrators engaged in burning items, vandalizing government property, and obstructing law enforcement efforts to make arrests.
Mahdawi’s graffiti was caught on camera by the US Park Police and circulated extensively across social media. The incident was also documented in open-source videos and photographs that were subsequently uploaded to different online platforms.
"The flags removed from the flagpoles and the statues and structures at Columbus Circle are all owned by the federal government," the prosecutors stated.
Judge James E. Boasberg issued the ruling, mandating that Mahdawi must perform 80 hours of community service and compensate $1,500 as restitution for the approximately $11,282.23 incurred in cleanup expenses.
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