The Egyptian-born activist arrested for blasting pink spray paint on what she saw as an offensive Times Square subway poster -- because it called the jihadist enemies of Israel "savages" -- is promising to take the case to trial.
Mona Eltahawy, 45, came to Manhattan Criminal Court for a routine appearance on her misdemeanor graffiti case today and declined Manhattan prosecutors' no-jail offer, which would have allowed her to plead guilty to a simple disorderly conduct violation.
Under the rejected deal, Eltahawy would have had to pay $248 restitution to the MTA, for alleged damage to their property, along with $794 restitution to a passerby who'd tried to stop the defacement, getting blasted herself in the process.
Steven Hirsch
Mona Eltahawy with her lawyer Stanley Cohen outside court today
The bulk of the $794 would have compensated the passerby for damage to her Gucci eyeglasses, Eltahawy's lawyer, Stanley Cohen, explained after court.
"I acted out of principle and I did what I believe is right," Eltahawy said as she left the courtroom, calling the posters "racist," when asked why she wants to take the case to trial.
The ads were paid for by the pro-Israel American Freedom Defense Initiative and read in part, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel, defeat jihad."
"She's a person of principal who's committed to truth and justice and peace, and stands by her powerful statement [of spray-painting the poster] which actually defused the situation," her lawyer told reporters.
"If not for her pink paint protest, the posters could otherwise have "triggered a much more explosive response," he said. "People saw someone stood up and spray painted this ugly, racist sign and said 'khalas,'" the lawyer said, using the Arabic word for "enough."
She's due back in court Feb. 2.
Activist busted for spray-painting anti-jihad subway poster promises to take case to trial
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Activist busted for spray-painting anti-jihad subway poster promises to take case to trial
