DHS Officer Accuses Protester of Appropriation

A heated confrontation over a keffiyeh scarf shines a spotlight on the cultural clashes within progressive movements.

Story Overview

• A DHS officer accused a protester of cultural appropriation, sparking a viral video.
• The incident occurred during pro-Palestinian protests at Union Station, D.C.
• The confrontation highlights internal tensions within activist circles.
• Social media amplified the debate over identity and representation.

Protester Confrontation at Union Station

On July 24, 2024, during a pro-Palestinian protest at Union Station in Washington, D.C., video footage showed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer confronting a white female protester wearing a keffiyeh, according to CBS News coverage. The officer accused her of cultural appropriation, leading to a heated verbal exchange that was recorded and widely circulated online. Commentators such as political analyst Ruy Teixeira argued the incident reflects broader tensions within progressive activist networks, while critics of the Democratic Party highlighted it as evidence of divisions among its supporters.

Context of the Incident

The protest coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the U.S. Congress, amid heightened tensions over U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine. The keffiyeh, a traditional Middle Eastern scarf representing Palestinian solidarity, was at the center of the confrontation. This incident at Union Station, a frequent protest site, comes amidst increasing pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S., particularly on college campuses and in major cities.

The video of the confrontation quickly went viral, sparking debate on social media and in news outlets. The incident is seen as a flashpoint in ongoing debates about protest tactics, cultural appropriation, and political messaging within progressive movements. Some conservative commentators, including journalist Nick Sortor, cited the video as evidence of what they described as excesses and divisions among Democratic-aligned activists.

Broader Implications

Analysts such as Professor Dana Fisher from University of Maryland noted that in the short term, such incidents may intensify scrutiny of protest tactics and create a chilling effect on participation due to fears of internal policing or public shaming. Over the longer term, experts suggest the confrontation could influence activist strategies and coalition-building, particularly as debates over cultural appropriation and solidarity remain active within progressive movements.

LMAO! A DC police officer just TRIGGERED a leftist protestor at Union Station, accusing her of “cultural appropriation” for wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh

DC cops are living their best lives right now.

And this protestor lost her sh*t pic.twitter.com/4T60Li1fX8

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 20, 2025

Sources:

NurPhoto: Gender Liberation March In Washington DC (for context on keffiyeh symbolism)
Instagram: Chaos erupts at Union Station as Pro-Palestine protesters replace American flags
Jerusalem Post: Pro-Hamas, antisemitic graffiti defaces US landmarks in DC
ABDPost: Protester yells at cop after he calls her out for keffiyeh scarf
CBS News: Police deploy pepper spray amid protests against Netanyahu