Florida Cops Jail Man for Covering ‘Free Palestine’ Graffiti With Concrete-Colored Paint

A Florida man was arrested after getting caught using spray paint to cover up pro-Palestinian graffiti at a South Florida highway on Jan. 2.

Yoni Maimon, 30, was charged with two counts of criminal mischief. Per the arrest report obtained by WSVN,  Florida Highway Patrol Troopers arrived at the scene after reports of “possible vandalism” to find Maimon holding a spray paint can.

He had painted over pro-Palestinian slogans with gray spray, which he said he thought was the same color as the wall.

“The boss called me around 8 a.m. and told me about some ‘Free Palestine,’ and if I can cover,” said Maimon. “I drive through I-95 next to exit 27, and I saw under the bridge the ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Free Gaza,’ and then I went to Home Depot, bought the spray, and I just covered everything.”

Maimon told troopers that he is from Israel and was trying to cover up the pro-Palestinian messages because “I don’t like to see it.”

He also claimed the country is a “terrorist organization,” adding that “they kidnap and kill people every day.”

Police officials arrested Maimon and took him to the Broward County Jail, where he spent nine hours.

Despite intentionally covering up the slogans, Maimon maintains he did nothing wrong and told WSVN that he does not regret painting over the slogans and instead will “call the city” next time.

“They put the handcuff on my leg and on my hand,” Maimon told WSVN. “Then they asked me questions, and I told them I just covered the ‘Free Palestine,’ like nothing wrong, just ‘Free Palestine,’ and they took me to the jail.”

His boss, Eran Hazan, told reporters that it was “extreme” to arrest him and that he should’ve gotten a warning instead.

“For the results, I feel bad. I don’t feel bad for making the decision to cover it up,” Hazan said. “If I knew it was illegal and we were going to get in trouble for it, of course, I wouldn’t direct him to do it. It’s common sense...you see it everywhere.” 

Claiming that slogans advocating for the freedom and justice of Palestinians are “hate,”  Hazan said, “we’re only trying to cover hate.”

Addressing concerns that Maimon was wrongfully arrested, FHP Lt. Indiana Miranda released the following statement.

“There was probable cause and evidence of the subject spraying over the signs. Therefore an arrest was made by the officer. Officers may use discretion on traffic citations by issuing a warning. When it comes to misdemeanor/felony offenses arrests are made or a Notice to Appear (without physical arrest), & given a court date if applicable on some offenses. I saw your email for records for the dash camera. Records can handle that request. The arrestee is not the company hired to remove any graffiti therefore is considered vandalism/ criminal mischief.”