Full Notification

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, a group of ceasefire demonstrators, and an accompanying group of counter-demonstrators marched from Albany into El Cerrito.  The group of approximately 100 protesters took over the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, blocking traffic for over an hour, while a small group of counter-protesters stood on the sidewalk holding Israeli flags.  Many callers reported pushing and shoving, and language they deemed threatening, but one incident in particular was clearly of a criminal nature.  

A male protester pushed a woman down to the ground from behind, causing a minor injury, and took her Israel flag from her hands by force.  He then burned the flag in the street.  This crime was captured on video and is being investigated as a hate crime.  The suspect in this case was wearing a distinctive jacket and is pictured in the attached images.  The El Cerrito Police Department supports the constitutional rights of all people to freedom of speech and assembly.  However, when these acts become criminal, they will be thoroughly investigated and presented to the District Attorneys Office for review and prosecution when appropriate. 

The El Cerrito Police Department is requesting that any witnesses,  those with video evidence, or if you are able to identify the individual in the photos please contact us at 510-215-4417 or by email at [email protected].