Police have arrested a teen protester they say took part in vandalizing a nearly century-old World War I memorial in Manhattan during recent pro-Palestinian protests.
The youth was part of a group of protesters who broke off from a large demonstration near the Met Gala on Monday evening, cops said Thursday.
The 16-year-old was charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti, according to police.
A group vandalized the One Hundred Seventh Infantry Memorial at the corner of Fifth Ave. and E. 67th St.. The memorial honors members of the infantry who died in World War I.
“The despicable vandalism we saw earlier this week on the WWI Memorial will not be ignored, and will not go unpunished,” NYPD Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said in a tweet Thursday. “This isn’t simply juvenile hijinks- it’s an act of desecration that undermines the freedoms our heroes fought and died for.”
Protesters also defaced the 121-year-old General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument the saem night.
Police ask anyone with information regarding that act of vandalism to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
