West Hartford Police: Protestors Vandalize LaSalle Road Building

Published On: January 21, 2024Categories: Government, Police/Fire, The Center
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Vandalism to 65 LaSalle Road included red spray paint as well as signs posted by participants in a rally organized by American Muslims for Palestine Connecticut Chapter and two other pro-Palestinian groups. Courtesy photo

Police said members of a group that had gathered Sunday for a protest vandalized the exterior of 65 LaSalle Road.

Signs posted by participants in a rally organized by American Muslims for Palestine Connecticut Chapter and two other pro-Palestinian groups were stuck to the windows and exterior of 65 LaSalle Road. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

A rally that was organized by several groups, billed as “New Year for a Free Palestine,” was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Town Hall and was attended by an estimated 150 people, according to West Hartford Police.

Participants did not remain on the grounds of  Town Hall, however, and police said the group moved through areas of Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center.

According to Capt. Daniel Moffo, “At one point, members of the group posted signs on the exterior of the businesses located at 65 LaSalle Road. Afterward, it was discovered that unidentified group members vandalized the exterior of the building with red paint.”

While police did not specify the nature of the “group,” a social media post promoting the rally indicated that it was being organized by American Muslims for Palestine Connecticut Chapter, UConn Students for Justice in Palestine, and We Will Return Palestine.

Photos provided to We-Ha.com show signs plastered all over the front of the building that houses Webster Bank and Becker’s Jewelry, as well as red spray paint on the window, exterior of the building, and the sidewalk.

Vandalism to 65 LaSalle Road included red spray paint as well as signs posted by participants in a rally organized by American Muslims for Palestine Connecticut Chapter and two other pro-Palestinian groups. Courtesy photo

Police are actively investigating the incident, and have not yet made any arrests as of early Sunday evening, Moffo said.

Any member of the public who has information related to this investigation is asked to please contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203, or via the anonymous tip line 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

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6 Comments

  1. Ralph Blum January 22, 2024 at 10:13 AM - Reply

    Does anyone know who the owner of Becker’s is? Was this group targeting a Jewish owned business?

    • Kevin January 22, 2024 at 12:25 PM - Reply

      Ralph — the Becker family sold the business a few years ago. It is now owned by H6 group which is connected to Hannoush Jewelers. I researched this last night. It appears that the Hannoush family are Lebanese Christians. One thing I know for sure is next to going after Israeli / Jewish supporters, the next biggest group that vandals with this bent like to target are Lebanese Christians. It has been said that Beirut was like the Paris of the Middle east in the early 1960s. Within 10 to 15 years it was ruined

  2. Fred Alford January 22, 2024 at 12:08 PM - Reply

    Those signs mention “Eagle Investment Systems” and “ELBIT” which are 2 different companies.
    Eagle Investments Systems is a BNY Mellon subsidiary and is basically software as a service for managing financial institutions. Eagle Investment Systems is at this Lasalle property. ELBIT builds military drones and has no Connecticut presence.

  3. Paul Clark January 23, 2024 at 11:09 PM - Reply

    Although I ‘m sure almost everyone is angry and appalled by the bombing and killing of the children and families in Gaza by Israel, this does not help anyone see their plight. Both the Israel and Palestinian citizens deserve to live in peace and one can hope this war ends soon with some peace solution figured out. But seeing as this has been part of a larger ongoing conflict for years between Israel and the Palestinians they rule, I doubt much will change anytime soon.

  4. […] A 24-year-old West Haven man turned himself in to West Hartford Police on Monday and faces several charges after being identified as a suspect involved in vandalism of a building at 65 LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center during a pro-Palestinian rally t…. […]

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