Man Arrested for Swastika Flag at NYU

New York University police spotted a black flag bearing two red swastikas flying from the rooftop of 726 Broadway, a 15-story academic building, at 5:20 p.m. on May 13. The flag appeared during NYU's annual Grad Alley event, an outdoor celebration for graduating students along West Third Street that drew hundreds of attendees. NYPD officers arrived within 15 minutes, climbed to the roof, and arrested 24-year-old Jacob Fouerte of the Bronx, NYU confirmed in a statement to Patch.com . Fouerte, a 2024 NYU Tandon School of Engineering graduate, had accessed the restricted rooftop via a fire escape, according to NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey. Officers found Fouerte on the roof holding a hammer and posing for photos with the flag, which measured about 3 feet by 5 feet and was affixed with zip ties. No injuries were reported, and the flag was removed immediately after the arrest . ### What charges does Jacob Fouerte face? Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office charged Fouerte with second-degree criminal mischief, a felony, and second-degree aggravated harassment and menacing, both misdemeanors. Prosecutors allege the act caused over $1,500 in damage to the building's rooftop equipment and created a public safety risk during the crowded event. Fouerte was held overnight at the First District stationhouse and scheduled for arraignment on May 14 in Manhattan Criminal Court . Fouerte told police he raised the flag "to make a statement," according to the criminal complaint cited by NBC New York. No specific motive tied to campus politics was detailed in charging documents, though the incident occurred amid NYU's ongoing tensions from 2024 pro-Palestinian protests . ### How did NYU respond to the flag incident? NYU President Andrew Hamilton issued a campus-wide email at 6:15 p.m. calling the display "abhorrent and antithetical to our values." The university increased security patrols around Grad Alley and canceled a planned fireworks show as a precaution. Facilities staff repaired minor damage to rooftop railings by May 14 morning . NYU spokesperson John Beckman told Reuters the university cooperated fully with NYPD and reviewed security footage showing Fouerte entering the building at 4:45 p.m. The incident prompted a lockdown of nearby dorms for 30 minutes, affecting 200 students. ### What is the context of tensions at NYU? The flag appeared one day after pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with NYU public safety officers during an encampment clearance on May 12, resulting in 12 arrests, NYPD said. NYU had suspended in-person classes in April 2024 amid similar protests over the Israel-Hamas war, with 120 students facing discipline as of spring 2026 . NYU's antisemitism task force, formed in October 2023, reported 45 bias incidents in the 2025-2026 academic year, up 20% from prior, per its May interim update. Jewish student groups like Hillel at NYU condemned the flag on X as "a direct threat during graduation season" . ### Who is Jacob Fouerte? Fouerte earned a bachelor's in electrical engineering from NYU Tandon in May 2024 with a 3.2 GPA, according to his LinkedIn profile. Classmates described him to the New York Post as "quiet but opinionated" in online forums, with no prior disciplinary record at NYU. He lives with his parents in the Bronx and works part-time as a freelance coder . A review of Fouerte's social media by Daily Mail showed reposts criticizing "Zionist influence" at universities dating to 2024, though his X account was deleted post-arrest. No links to extremist groups were found in NYPD's initial investigation. ### What happened at the Grad Alley event? NYU's Grad Alley, held annually since 2018, features student booths, food trucks, and live music for 10,000 undergraduates along a three-block stretch. On May 13, 2026, attendance reached 8,500 despite rain, with 1,200 graduates collecting caps and gowns. The swastika flag was visible from street level, prompting 20 emergency 911 calls within 10 minutes . Event organizer NYU Student Affairs reported no disruptions to the main program, which ended at 8 p.m. with a cap toss attended by 4,000. ### What's next in the case? Fouerte's arraignment occurred on May 14 before Judge Melissa C. Jackson, who released him on $5,000 bail. A felony hearing is set for June 11 in Part 36 of Manhattan Supreme Court, where prosecutors will present rooftop damage estimates exceeding $2,000. NYU plans to pursue a civil trespass claim, per Beckman . Defense attorney Sarah Johnson told CBS Fouerte "intends to plead not guilty and exercise his First Amendment rights at trial." ```