Prosecutors charge anti-Israel protester for vandalizing statue outside DC's Union Station with 'Gaza'.
Prosecutors allege that Isabella Giordano, a 20-year-old resident of Towson, was among the demonstrators during Netanyahu's visit to Washington.
A 20-year-old woman from Maryland who was filmed painting "Gaza" on the Columbus Fountain near Union Station in Washington, D.C. this summer has been arrested and is now facing a federal charge, according to prosecutors.
Isabella Giordano of Towson will make her first court appearance this afternoon, charged with one count of willfully injuring or depredating any property of the United States, as alleged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The incident occurred while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the area.
"The Attorney's Office stated that footage from open-source videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) revealed Giordano using red spray paint to write "Gaza" on the Columbus Fountain on July 24. Additionally, she spray-painted the base of two flagpoles in Columbus Circle."
This morning, Giordano was arrested by the U.S. Park Police after receiving tips identifying her.
On July 24, 2024, an organization was granted permission to hold a demonstration in Columbus Circle, located at Massachusetts Ave. NE and E St. NE, directly in front of Union Station. Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., demonstrators gathered in Columbus Circle and took down flags from the flagpoles, burned flags and objects, sprayed graffiti on multiple statues and structures, and obstructed law enforcement's ability to arrest individuals, according to court documents.
"The National Park Service estimated that the cost to clean and repair the site at about $11,282.23. The flags pulled down from the flag poles, and the statues and structures in Columbus Circle, are all property of the federal government."
The Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit of the Park Police and the FBI Washington Field Office are investigating Giordano's case, as per prosecutors.
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