A woman who vandalized a monument during pro-Hamas protests at Union Station last year was spared a prison sentence but ordered to spend six months on probation.
Isabella Giordano, 21, had previously pled guilty to destruction of government property after she spray-painted the monument in Columbus Circle as well as two of the flagpoles at Union Station.
She was part of a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was speaking at the Capitol. The protesters had a permit to use the space but things turned sour.
Protesters tore down U.S. flags, painted pro-Hamas slogans on the monument and began scuffling with police. Authorities revoked the permit and tried to shut things down.
Prosecutors said there’s no evidence Giordano was directly involved in the attacks on police, so they agreed she only deserved to face probation. She also lost her job after the arrest.
“Given the defendant’s difficult childhood, lack of criminal history or other similar conduct, and her genuine remorse for her actions, the history and characteristics of the defendant weigh in favor of a sentence that does not involve incarceration,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Martin told the judge.
Giordano’s lawyer had asked for no additional sentence, saying she’s suffered enough.
“Four feet eleven inches tall and twenty years old, she tearfully asked whether she was going to jail and what she could do to show how sorry she is. Since that moment, Ms. Giordano has done everything to answer that question on her own,” said Eugene Ohm, the federal public defender who handled her case.
He also compared her favorably to the Jan. 6 rioters at the Capitol who, he pointed out, had just been granted pardons by President Trump.
“Some of those individuals evaded punishment entirely. It is historically unclear what message the executive and thus the courts are sending to the public regarding general deterrence of crimes committed during political protests,” Mr. Ohm wrote in his sentencing memo to the judge.
In addition to Giordano, Zachary Kam of Chicago has been charged with assault on law enforcement officers during the protest.
