6 arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters burn flags, assault cop outside City Hall, police say

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Six people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest outside City Hall on the Fourth of July, where demonstrators burned American flags and assaulted a police officer, authorities said.

The protest started in Rittenhouse Square. A few hundred people marched through Center City, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that read “ceasefire now.”

Officers monitored the protest as part of normal safety operations. When the crowd reached City Hall shortly after 8 p.m., police said some protesters set “decorative items” and flags on fire in the street.

Officers tried to disperse the crowd, but some individuals started to throw flags and poles at the cops, officials said. Protesters were seen on NBC10 chopper video clashing with police.

One person was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and related offenses for assaulting an officer in the face. The officer did not require medical attention.

The other five protesters were charged with disorderly conduct.