Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a three-count felony complaint with special hate crime allegations attached to each charge against 36-year-old Christopher Khamis Victor Husary of Hayward for criminal offenses that occurred during a protest in El Cerrito.
On January 6th, 2024, a gathering of protesters and counter-protesters assembled in Albany for a demonstration on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza’s Palestinian territory. While participating in the protest in El Cerrito, Christopher Husary attacked a woman, taking an Israeli flag she was carrying, and set it on fire. Also, Husary pushed another woman and took another Israeli flag that was draped around her shoulders.
The El Cerrito Police Department initiated an investigation into the incident, and with the assistance of the public, police investigators were able to identify Husary as the individual responsible for the offenses. On February 28th, a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police also served Husary with a search warrant of his residence in Hayward – which produced additional evidence that linked him to the charged crimes.
He is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility and will be arraigned in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa on the following charges:
- Second Degree Robbery [PC 211]
- Grand Theft Person [PC 487(c)]
- Arson of Property of Another [PC 451(d)]
- Special Allegations – Hate Crimes [PC 422.75(a)]
District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized that “While the First Amendment is fundamental to our democracy, it doesn’t protect threats, injury, intimidation, or property damage. Moreover, when such actions stem from biases related to race, gender, religion, ancestry, or national origin, they become hate crimes.”
Case No. 02-24-00279 | The People of the State of California v. Husary, Christopher
El Cerrito Police Arrest Man Who Burned Israeli Flag and Assaulted Woman During Protest
The El Cerrito Police announced the arrest of a Hayward man who allegedly pushed a woman down, took her Israeli flag and burned it.
On Saturday, January 6th, 2024, a group of protesters and counter-protesters arrived in the City of El Cerrito and took over the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Carlson Boulevard. The El Cerrito Police Department became aware of an incident that occurred during the protest wherein a male protester pushed a woman down to the ground from behind causing minor injury and then he took her flag by force. The suspect then burned the woman’s flag in the street.
The department released photos of the suspect in the incident who was wearing a garment to cover his face. With help from the public, the department was able to identify the suspect and obtain a warrant for his arrest.
This morning at 7 am, El Cerrito Police Officers arrested Christopher Husary, a 36 year-old man from Hayward, on an arrest warrant stemming from his involvement in the incident.
A search warrant was served at Husary’s residence and investigators recovered additional evidence that implicated Husary in the crime. Husary was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on one count of robbery, one count of grand theft from a person, and one count of arson.
The investigation will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with a request for prosecution.
January 8 – Update No. 1
The El Cerrito Police Department is investigating a hate crime and is asking the public for help in identifying a male who pushed a woman down and then burned the Israel flag in the street.
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].
Original Post
On Saturday, January 6th, 2024, a group of protesters and counter-protesters arrived in the City of El Cerrito from a start point in Albany and took over the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Carlson Boulevard for over an hour. The El Cerrito Police Department has become aware of an incident involving a member of one of the groups taking a flag from a member of the opposing group by force and burning it. The El Cerrito Police Department is investigating this incident and is requesting that any witnesses or those with video evidence please contact us at 510-215-4417 or by email at investigations@ci.el–cerrito.
Note – this is being investigated as a hate crime.
