Man Arrested After Raising Flag With 2 Swastikas Above NYU Building

NEW YORK CITY — A 23-year-old student New York University student has been accused of putting a flag with the Star of David and two swastikas on the roof of a campus building last month.

Alexander Stepnowsky has been charged with burglary and criminal trespass as a hate crime, as well as aggravated harassment.

On May 13, the flag was spotted hanging from 50 West Fourth St.

NYU campus safety officers removed the flag after the incident.

A spokesperson for the university said the school was “shocked and deeply troubled” after the incident,

“We are one community. We protect each other, and we will not let hate and division find a foothold on our campus,” the university said in a statement.

The incident was first reported by NYU's independent student newspaper, Washington Square News.

According to police, Stepnowsky was caught on surveillance video entering and exiting the building. The 23-year-old later admitted to putting the flag on the roof.

He has pleaded not guilty and was released without bail on Wednesday.