Man Arrested in Columbia University Raid Charged With Previously Burning Flag From Pro-Israeli Demonstrator

NEW YORK (Daily News/TNS/Hamodia) — One of the pro-Palestinian protesters busted in the police raid at Columbia University this week also faces charges for an earlier incident in which a pro-Israeli protester carrying an Israeli flag was attacked outside the school and had his flag burned, police said Thursday.

James Carlson, 40, of Brooklyn, was charged Wednesday with criminal mischief, arson, and possession of stolen property. His two alleged accomplices are still being sought.

Police said that on April 20, a 22-year-old man was taking part in a demonstration pitting pro-Israeli protesters against pro-Palestinian protesters. As the victim walked past Amsterdam Ave. and W. 116th St. carrying an Israeli flag, one individual ripped the flag away from him and ran off. The victim followed the individual, who ran into a crowd of people. A second individual then threw a rock, hitting the victim in the face. Carlson allegedly then grabbed the flag set it on fire.

The victim suffered a minor injury but did not need medical attention.

Carlson was also allegedly inside Hamilton Hall when police raided it Tuesday night and busted protesters who had hours earlier taken over the building and barricaded themselves inside, police said. For that he was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

A total of 282 protesters were arrested at Columbia and City College of New York Tuesday night, including at least 27 by CCNY security officers.

According to the most recent tally, 188 people were issued summons, mostly for trespassing and failure to disperse, and were released. Another 43 were arrested and went through the system, charged mostly with burglary, with some also charged with assault.

Ten others were arrested on lesser charges, given a desk appearance and released. It wasn’t yet clear if the remaining 41 protesters were issued summonses or criminally charged.