Protesters burn American flag at Union Station and raise Palestinian one in its place

Protesters tore down American flags Wednesday at Union Station in Washington, raising Palestinian ones in their places.

Video on social media shows that all three American flags that fly at Union Station were torn down, with at least one rescued by police and one burned. Palestinian flags were raised in their places.

Video showed a group of police officers pushing their way to one of the flag poles to take care of one of the American flags, then retreating after it was retrieved. Several were arrested in the melee.

Some protesters sprayed graffiti on the statues around Union Station, including the phrase "Hamas is comin'."

At 3:17 p.m., the United States Park Police announced that some in the crowd were engaging in "criminal activity," adding that they were trying to contact event organizers to de-escalate the situation. Members of the public were advised to avoid the area.

The protest permit was soon after revoked , and everyone was ordered to leave the area. Pepper spray and other riot gear were deployed to clear the area.

One of the American flags torn down was set on fire. A man, later identified as a lawyer who works nearby, grabbed it from the fire and ran. He said he saw the flag burning and felt compelled to save it.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) denounced the spectacle, which was visible from his Senate office.

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"I just took this picture from my Senate office," he said. "Less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol, pro-Hamas protestors have taken down and burned AMERICAN FLAGS at Union Station to fly Palestinian flags. Absolutely SHAMEFUL."

Capitol Police clarified in a statement Wednesday that none of the American flags are protected by them as Union Station is not on Capitol grounds.