Sunnyvale Man Arrested After Cutting Flags in Highway 101 Incident

UPDATE: A Sunnyvale man has been arrested for cutting down flags and banners from a Highway 101 overpass, escalating into violence. Joshua Krupia, aged 41, was apprehended just before 5:30 p.m. on November 7, according to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

Witnesses reported that Krupia confronted a group of pro-Palestinian volunteers who were holding a vigil for Gaza, demanding justice for Palestinians. The demonstration quickly turned chaotic as Krupia allegedly shouted racist slurs and profanities before using a pocketknife to cut down the flags.

Police stated that the situation escalated into a physical altercation, where Krupia struck one individual in the head with a flashlight, causing minor injuries, and punched a second person. Officers arrived on the scene to find Krupia being detained by several witnesses.

Authorities have charged Krupia with assault with a deadly weapon. He has been booked into Santa Clara County Jail. The incident highlights the tensions surrounding the ongoing protests advocating for Palestinian rights.

Zahra Billoo, Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations – San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA), expressed outrage over the attack, stating,

“This was not just vandalism—it was a hate-motivated attack that left people injured while exercising their right to free expression.”

This developing story underscores the volatile atmosphere surrounding current geopolitical issues and their local expressions. Authorities and community leaders are urging for peace and dialogue following this alarming incident.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.