36-year-old Christopher Khamis Victor Husary of Hayward, California, faces multiple felony charges linked to hate crimes, stemming from his actions during an Albany protest in January.
On January 6, 2024, demonstrators and counter-demonstrators gathered in Albany to voice their standpoints on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza’s Palestinian territory. It’s during this demonstration that Husary is alleged to have performed a series of criminal acts. He purportedly attacked a woman, seizing and setting alight an Israeli flag she’d been carrying. Another woman was also reportedly pushed by Husary as he took an Israeli flag she’d been wearing around her shoulders.
The El Cerrito Police Department launched an investigation following these incidents and were able to identify Husary as the person responsible for the offenses, aided by information from the public. On February 28, 2024, a warrant was issued for Husary’s arrest.
Police also executed a search warrant on his Hayward home, uncovering more evidence that implicated him in the crimes. Husary is now housed at the Martinez Detention Facility, awaiting his arraignment in the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
District Attorney Diana Becton stated: “While the First Amendment is fundamental to our democracy, it doesn’t protect threats, injury, intimidation, or property damage. Moreover, when such actions stem from biases related to race, gender, religion, ancestry, or national origin, they become hate crimes.”
Husary faces three felony charges: Second Degree Robbery, Grand Theft Person, Arson of Property of Another, with additional special hate crime allegations linked to each count.
