WASHINGTON (AP) — A Maryland woman was arrested Friday on charges of destroying federal property in Washington, D.C., during protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in July.
In a video posted to social media, Isabella Giordano, 20, of Towson, was seen spray-painting “Gaza” on a fountain in front of Union Station and spraying the bases of two flagpoles in Columbus Circle with red spray paint, according to a statement from a U.S. Park Police sergeant.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington on July 24 to condemn Netanyahu’s visit. A group of protesters had a permit to demonstrate in front of Union Station, but Park Police revoked the permit after they were unable to reach protest organizers that afternoon, the oath said.
Some protesters outside Union Station removed American flags and replaced them with Palestinian ones. Others burned flags and spray-painted graffiti on buildings in Columbus Circle. The National Park Service estimated that it cost more than $11,000 to clean up the site and repair the damage.
Park Police said they received two tips from witnesses identifying Giordano as the suspect in the graffiti.
Giordano was scheduled to make her initial court appearance Friday. She is charged with malicious wounding or depredation of federal property. It was not immediately clear whether she has an attorney.
