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Speakers urge Sacramento police and prosecutors to investigate attack on man with Israeli flag, call for better event security
Summary
Multiple speakers told the council that a man waving an Israeli flag was assaulted downtown and hospitalized; speakers called for a hate-crime investigation, better policing at protests, and protections for Jewish residents and counter-protesters.
Several members of the public told the Sacramento City Council they were calling for a stronger police response after an incident downtown in which, they said, a man carrying an Israeli flag and wearing Jewish symbols was attacked during a protest.
Sarah D., who said she attended the event at Sixteenth and J, described the attack and said the victim — identified in public comment as “Mr. Rodriguez” — was tackled from behind, beaten with a flagpole and later treated at a hospital. “Speakers got on the microphone spewing abuse at us and inciting the crowd,” Sarah D. said. “We demand accountability for the actions of Sac for Palestine, JVP, and the Sacramento PD. The PD and the DA should investigate this as a hate crime.”
Other speakers described seeing the assault and said police did not provide visible protection at the rally and failed to secure the scene afterward. Grant R. urged the council to work with the police to ensure protection for both protesters and counter-protesters at future demonstrations. Zach M. said the city must not “allow someone being assaulted for waving a flag or wearing religious symbols.” Donnie Weinstein and Rabbi Cohn also spoke, calling for investigations and public-safety measures for the Jewish community in Sacramento.
Councilmembers took public comment but did not announce any immediate policy action at the meeting; several members later said the police department and city staff should review the incident and the council expects the Sacramento Police Department and the district attorney’s office to investigate reported crimes. Speakers urged the city to ensure adequate uniformed police presence at future protests and to prioritize rapid investigation of alleged hate crimes.
