Pro-Palestinian Encampment Continues Outside Blinken's Home Under Soros-Affiliated Prosecutor

For nine months, Palestinian protesters have maintained a round-the-clock encampment in front of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s home, creating disturbances that may violate several Virginia laws. Despite these potential violations, Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti has declined to prosecute the protesters.

Dehgani-Tafti, an Iranian-American former public defender who was elected with the help of significant funding from George Soros, stated that “Based on the facts and circumstances shared by the ACPD, there is no basis in the law to charge the demonstrators.” She declined to provide specific legal reasoning for this decision.

The protests have involved pouring fake blood on the ground, shouting late at night, and targeting Blinken as he returned home from trips. On June 16, protesters shouted at Blinken and poured red liquid next to his car at 3:30 a.m., chanting, “Bloody Blinken, butcher of Gaza.”

Local ordinances and state laws appear to prohibit the kind of disruptions these protests cause:

• Virginia code 18.2-419 makes picketing in residential areas illegal and classifies violations as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

• Arlington County Code bans nighttime yelling and screaming by groups of four or more.

• State law requires permits for signs and camping in highway rights-of-way.

Despite these laws, the Arlington County Police Department, which has only made two arrests related to the protests, asserts there is no probable cause for further action. Concrete barriers have been installed on the narrow roadway, accommodating the protesters' tents.

Protesters have documented their activities on social media, showing violations of nighttime noise regulations. The prohibition against picketing at people’s homes is part of a broader trend where leftist prosecutors have chosen not to enforce specific laws. This precedent was established during the summer of 2022 when activists targeted conservative Supreme Court justices' homes following the anticipated reversal of Roe v. Wade.

The leader of the protest, Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as "Commander Butcher," was recently arrested in Moldova. He had allegedly solicited hate crimes and acts of mass violence, including a scheme to poison Jewish children in New York. Chkhikvishvili’s arrest underscores the potential dangers posed by extremist protest groups.

The ongoing protests at Blinken’s residence have prompted mixed reactions from the local community and highlight the complex interplay between free speech, public safety, and legal enforcement. Fairfax County police records indicate coordination with Arlington regarding the protests, but jurisdictional boundaries limit direct intervention.

Hazami Barmada, a leader of the protests, has been involved in similar actions, including demonstrations in front of the Israeli Embassy. Barmada's group is financially supported by the Bafrayung Fund, led by Rachel Gelman, a Levi Strauss heir and cousin of Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY).

As the protests continue, Arlington’s handling of the situation remains under scrutiny, reflecting broader debates over the enforcement of laws governing public demonstrations and the balance between activism and community safety.

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