Pro-Palestinian Vandal’s Explosive Tantrum at Massachusetts State House

Well, it looks like another day, another unhinged activist thinking they can redecorate public property with paint and bad ideas. Jermaiah Yusuf Sawaqed, a 25-year-old from Everett, Massachusetts, got himself nabbed after allegedly turning the Massachusetts State House into his personal canvas last month.

According to the complaint, this guy's tied to the oh-so-charmingly named Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), a group that's apparently made it their mission to vandalize anything that screams "establishment." Because nothing says "revolution" like spray paint and a lousy attitude.

On July 23, Sawaqed allegedly decided the State House needed a makeover, dumping white paint on the gate and spray-painting concrete columns like he’s auditioning for a street art gig nobody asked for. Security footage caught him trying to scrawl "Divest" or "Divert" on a pillar; guess spelling wasn't his strong suit that day. Then, like a true mastermind, he bolted into Boston Common, leaving a trail of white paint footprints that practically screamed, "Follow me, I’m an idiot and I'm terrible at this!" 

Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top: two "suspicious objects: that authorities believe were homemade improvised explosive devices. Because nothing says "peaceful protest" like DIY bombs, right?

"Sawaqed has been identified as a central and active participant in a series of organized, politically motivated acts of vandalism, targeting prominent public institutions, including the Massachusetts State House, the George Washington Monument on the Public Garden and the MIT Data Center," the complaint reads. 

This guy has been busy defacing anything that looks remotely important. Federal officials flagged him back in May after he popped up in a video urging his fellow keyboard warriors to go after government buildings and corporate logistics networks. 

Mommy dearest

When the police finally caught up with him last Thursday, they searched a car he was using, borrowed from his mommy, because of course, and found traces of white paint, a device matching the ones on the Common, a couple of empty gas cans, and some DAMPL fliers. Real criminal mastermind stuff here. 

The complaint nails it: "Sawaqed’s actions have been deliberate, calculated and in furtherance of an ideology that advocates disruption through violence and criminal activity." In other words, he's not just a guy with a spray can; he's a guy with a spray can and a dangerous agenda.

Sawaqed is now facing charges for vandalism, destruction of property, defacing a war or veterans memorial, and possession, transportation, or use of a hoax device or substance. 

Bail has been set at $30,000, and he’s due back in court next week. I suspect he’s regretting not sticking to his LinkedIn bio, where he calls himself a "dedicated bioengineer," because nothing says "bioengineering" like splashing paint and playing with fake bombs. His mommy, Naila Dahabrah, is out here claiming her boy is innocent, saying, "He does not belong to any group. They have no evidence," she said. 

Sure, lady, and those paint footprints just appeared out of thin air. 

But mommy has her own problems, though, apparently, she thought spitting in a detective's face while they served a search warrant was a great way to plead her case. Now she's facing assault and battery charges. 

The Anti-Defamation League's New England chapter chimed in, saying, "A Massachusetts man, known to be associated with DAMPL, has been arrested after vandalizing the Massachusetts State House. … We thank law enforcement for their vigilance and action." 

The ADL has been keeping tabs on DAMPL since they crawled out of the woodwork this spring, calling themselves "DAMPL Action Comrades" and coordinating their chaos via social media. "Once they started taking credit for real world vandalisms, we put a lot of effort into investigating them and providing information to law enforcement," said ADL Executive Director Samantha Joseph. Good call, because these "comrades" seem less about liberation and more about just breaking stuff.

So, here we are: another day, another activist thinking he's the next Che Guevara because he has a can of paint and a grudge. 

Maybe next time, try a petition instead of a Molotov cocktail vibe.

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