Rhode Island Man Arrested Stomping Cape Verdean Flag With Nazi Flag, Knife

Joey Marsden, a 27-year-old man from Manville, Rhode Island, was arrested after allegedly throwing the American and Cape Verdean flags to the ground and stomping on the Cape Verdean flag outside East Providence City Hall during a Cape Verde Independence Day ceremony. He was apprehended nearby with a six-inch knife and a large Nazi flag in his possession. Marsden faces charges of vandalism, disorderly conduct, and possession of a prohibited weapon, and authorities are considering hate crime enhancements given the nature of the incident. City and police officials strongly condemned the act, emphasizing East Providence’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and zero tolerance for hate. Surveillance footage and witness accounts corroborated the sequence of events, and Marsden was scheduled for arraignment in Providence County District Court. The incident has sparked broader discussions on hate crimes and community values in East Providence.