Pro-Palestinian Group Plans Protest In New City: Update

EDITOR'S NOTE: Rockland County officials said they do not fly flags of other countries and requested a correction to the original version of this report.

NEW CITY, NY — A new group called Rockland for Ceasefire plans a rally and march in New City Dec. 19 to protest the criminal charge against a 15-year old Palestinian-American boy who took down an Israeli flag from outside the Clarkstown Police Department and to demand Israeli flags be removed from government buildings.

They alleged that there were Israeli flags flying on Rockland County property. Rockland County officials said Tuesday there were none.

"There are a number of incorrect assertions made about flags on County property," County Executive Ed Day said Tuesday in an email. "To be perfectly clear, the flying of flags outside of American, State, County, and POW MIA are not allowed on our as per a long standing policy I established a number of years ago. Upon hearing about this inaccurate and wild accusation we reconfirmed with our Facilities manager that there are not, and have not been, any other unauthorized flags flown on our property."

Rockland for Ceasefire recently coalesced to demand an end to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

"Rockland County is a diverse community which includes many Palestinians," the group said in an announcement Monday about the rally. "Displaying a flag of a foreign country in shared government spaces, funded by tax dollars from all community members, is not only illegal but shows selective favoritism of one segment of the County, while suppressing others. Rockland for Ceasefire and concerned citizens demand 1) Israeli flags be removed from all government buildings and 2) all criminal charges against the boy be dropped."

The group also pointed out that addition to the boy arrested in Clarkstown, two Jewish men were arrested recently for removing Israel flags at Ramapo Town Hall. SEE:

• Police Accuse Teen Of Stealing Israeli Flag At Clarkstown Town Hall
• 2 Accused Of Hate Crimes In Theft Of Israeli Flag From Ramapo Building

The group's plan is to gather at the County Executive office, hold a vigil at the county courthouse, and march to Clarkstown Town Hall. Petitions will be presented to Day and Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, according to the announcement.

• Who: Rockland for Ceasefire and concerned community members
• When: December 19, 3 PM to 4:30 PM
• Where: Gathering at parking lot across from County Executive Office processing to Clarkstown Town Hall, 18 New Hempstead Road.

Editor's Note: This article has been revised to remove the name of the contact person for the group which sent out the announcement.