NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A large Palestinian flag was found hanging off the Manhattan bridge Wednesday, as a protest against U.S. support of Israel in the conflict with Gaza.
The flag said "Gaza in our hearts" and "Boycott, divest, sanction Israel." At the same time as the flag waved off the bridge, dozens of protesters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge holding flags and signs.
The NYPD removed the flag after it flew for five minutes and say they are investigating the incident. This did not stop an onslaught of criticism.
This incident is the second in as many months where unauthorized flags have been placed on New York City bridges. Last month, two German artists allegedly replaced the American flag atop the Brooklyn Bridge with faded white ones as a public art display. It led people to question the security of the city and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the incident was "a wake-up call."
Councilman David Greenfield slammed the NYPD on Twitter, saying this second transgression leads to doubts about their efficacy.
The dropping of another illegal flag on a major NYC bridge leads to the question of whether @NYPDnews is still capable of protecting NYC.
Advertisement— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) August 20, 2014