Russian-speaking member of the New York City Council was arrested because of weapons

Republican Brooklyn councilwoman Inna Vernikov was arrested on Thursday, October 12, after she was spotted carrying a firearm at a rally in support of Palestinians, leading to calls for her to be removed from office, the New York Post reported.

The council member is Jewish and has repeatedly spoken out against supporters of the Palestinian movement. On Thursday, Vernikov was at a rally that took place on the grounds of CUNY Brooklyn College.

While monitoring the protest, police sources said, Vernikov was spotted with a gun sticking out of the front of her pants. “The councilor eventually left the area and was contacted after police were notified. She, accompanied by her lawyer, appeared at the 70th precinct.”

Vernikov was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm while she was on school property, the source said. She turned in her pistol and her firearms permit, but was not arrested but given a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT).

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Although Vernikov has a concealed carry permit, New York State prohibits carrying firearms in sensitive areas such as protests or school grounds. Vernikov later shared a video of her speech near the controversial protest on the X website.

If you stand with the protesters and shout “Globalize the Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” while innocent women and children are raped, killed and beheaded, then you are a supporter and champion of Hamas who would like to bring terror here “to rid the world of the Jewish people,” she wrote under the video.

Reaction from Palestinian supporters

Although Wernicki’s video does not show a gun, other images and footage quickly appeared on social media that clearly showed the councilwoman with a gun in her pants.

“At a rally today on the Brooklyn College campus led by SJP students, Inna Vernikov showed a gun to Palestinian students and their allies,” CUNY4Palestine tweeted, accompanied by one such image.

“These are the force and intimidation tactics used by Zionist groups to silence any support for Palestine“, channel subscribers were indignant.

“She should lose her job and her gun license should be taken away.“,” one commentator noted.

“This is a domestic terrorist“,” added a third.

Several social media users also reposted photos of Vernikov with weapons at the ready, adding the hashtag “ExpelVernikov.”