By: Hal C Clarke

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday praised the NYPD’s handling of a disruptive anti-Israeli protest in Brooklyn, labeling their actions as “commendable.” Meanwhile, one protestor accused of kicking a cop was shockingly released without bail, despite prosecutors’ objections, the NY Post reported

Adams defended the police on various morning shows against claims of excessive force during the Bay Ridge protest. He acknowledged that authorities would review a singular incident where a cop was caught on video striking a demonstrator pinned to the ground.

“Those police officers did a commendable job under very difficult circumstances,” Adams stated on 1010 WINS radio.

The mayor condemned the protest as “a complete disruption of the Bay Ridge community,” citing that 60 emergency calls were delayed due to protestors blocking vital routes. In a later interview with NY1, he expressed his disdain for the event, noting the display of terrorist flags and calls for the destruction of America.

“I don’t like the fact that people can call for the destruction of America. I don’t like the fact that people can wave terrorist flags. I don’t like any of that,” Adams emphasized. However, he conceded that such actions are protected under constitutional rights.

“But what you don’t have a right to do is to ride on top of buses, spit in the face of police officers, destroy property, and resist arrest,” Adams added. “It’s not gonna happen in this city.”

The chaotic protest led to the arrest or summoning of 41 individuals. Among those detained were Ava Chinelli and Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, who faced arraignment. Many others were promptly released with future court dates.

Chinelli, 38, of Astoria, Queens, was accused of blocking the street and kicking a cop in the knee during the arrest. Manhattan prosecutors sought $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond, citing her charges of felony assault, resisting arrest, obstructing government administration, and disorderly conduct. Yet, Judge Dale Fong-Fredrick released Chinelli without bail, a move that outraged many.

Lodgson-McCray, 20, of Maplewood, NJ, faced charges of misdemeanor assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct. Due to state criminal-justice reforms, these charges were not bail-eligible, leading to his release.

Chinelli had no prior arrests, while Lodgson-McCray had been arrested three times earlier this year, all related to protests and resisting arrest.

The NYPD faced criticism for its allegedly aggressive response to the Saturday afternoon protest, initially intended to mark Palestinian Nakba Day. This event commemorates the 1948 Arab Israeli conflict and the subsequent displacement of Palestinians.

However, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry defended the officers in a scathing post on X, condemning the protestors’ actions.

“We will never tolerate any unlawful, illegal, and non-peaceful protests,” Daughtry declared. “We will not accept the narrative that persons arrested were victims, nor are we going to allow illegal behavior.”

Of the 41 people detained, 24 were issued summonses for disorderly conduct with fines, while 17 were arrested and charged. The following individuals received desk-appearance tickets:

• Fairooz Abourya, 19, Staten Island: obstructing and disorderly conduct.
• Mohamed Bajo, 20, Manhattan: obstructing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest.
• Samuel Seligson, 32, Brooklyn: obstruction and disorderly conduct.
• Andrew Firestone, 32, Manhattan: criminal mischief, resisting arrest.
• Shehab Alzouqari, 20, Brooklyn: reckless endangerment.
• Rohaan Gill, 28, Brooklyn: resisting arrest.
• Jalal Alfaqih, 27, Brooklyn: obstructing, resisting arrest.
• Ahmed Abdelbaki, 45, Clifton, NJ: resisting arrest, disorderly conduct.
• Mouhamad Beydoun, 34: obstructing, resisting arrest.
• William Nusbaum, 23, Kingston, NY: obstructing, resisting arrest.
• Alaa Khalil, 26, Clifton, NJ: obstructing, resisting arrest.
• Travis Sweatte, 42, Brooklyn: obstructing, resisting arrest.
• Jacob Gabriel, 28, Ridgewood, NJ: obstructing.
• Nagi Almthil, 18, Brooklyn: reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct.
• Essa Ejelat, 33, Yonkers, NY: obstructing.

Saturday’s protest quickly spiraled out of control, leaving a lasting mark of chaos and disorder in Bay Ridge. The protestors’ actions were nothing short of reprehensible, endangering public safety and disrespecting law enforcement in a flagrant display of lawlessness.