According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the charges against him include arson in the fifth degree, which is a misdemeanor, as well as multiple counts of criminal mischief, including one felony. Despite the charges, he maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty.
According to Bragg, the defendant’s alleged actions went beyond legal and peaceful protest. He emphasized that committing arson in a crowded protest puts the safety of others at risk and stated that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.
During the previous academic year, Carlson actively participated in multiple protests on Columbia’s campus. These demonstrations, which were not affiliated with the university, gained widespread attention and sparked similar actions elsewhere in the country. Carlson’s involvement extended beyond the flag-burning incident. He faced charges of trespassing for his role in a group of anti-Israel activists who forcibly entered and occupied Columbia’s Hamilton Hall in April 30 protest.
The university had to involve the police to vacate the building, leading to numerous arrested. It was during this time that Carlson allegedly damaged the glass panel in the holding cell. Although many of those detained were eventually released without charges, Carlson’s actions remained under scrutiny.
The police crackdown aftermath brought the role of outsiders in the protest into focus. Mayor Eric Adams justified ordering the NYPD to clear out the building by pointing out the alleged presence of “outside agitators.”
The Hamilton Hall incident garnered significant attention amidst a year filled with protests and heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war. As the new school year commenced, the war’s impact continued to reverberate throughout the campus.
Notably, three deans at Columbia University resigned last month after their disparaging texts about Jewish students surfaced. Shortly after, Columbia President Minouche Shafik stepped down, citing the ongoing turmoil on campus. Subsequently, a task force investigating antisemitism at the university reported instances of “crushing” discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students.