Michael Snow Jr., who torched an American flag as part of anti-Israel protests at Union Station in Washington last summer, was slapped with a 4-month probation sentence.
Snow, whose lawyers said he was once an Eagle Scout, was part of the rally at Columbus Circle just blocks away from where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking to Congress.
The protests turned unruly, with some demonstrators grappling with cops called to break it up.
Protesters also brought down American flags from the memorial, and Snow was captured on video dumping lighter fluid on one flag, then igniting it and standing back to admire his work.
His lawyer said he was feeling the depths of passion over the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the U.S. government’s role, but acknowledged he went too far.
“He respects the flag and cherishes the values for which it represents – he was and remains an Eagle Scout who built raised garden beds for a brain rehabilitation center for his Eagle Scout project – beds that still remain used today,” his lawyer told the judge. “But just as he recognizes the symbolic value of his actions, he also recognizes the criminality of destroying property that did not belong to him. He therefore pleaded guilty as quickly as he possibly could.”
Snow had sought a sentence of time served.
The Justice Department wanted him to face a year of probation.
Judge James Boasberg issued a 4-month probation sentence.
He didn’t impose any fine but did order Snow to pay $525 to cover the cost of the flag he burned.
Snow’s lawyer pointed out — and the government agreed — that he was not involved with the violent scuffling with police.
