Protestors vandalized a sacred American monument overnight on Tuesday.
The steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., were vandalized with graffiti that read “Free Gaza,” among other phrases, according to U.S. Park Police.
U.S. Park Police confirmed to The Hill that vandalism was discovered in the area of the Lincoln Memorial Circle and the Reflecting Pool. While park police did not confirm when the incident occurred, DC News Now reported it likely occurred sometime overnight Tuesday and crews were called to the memorial around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Footage from DC News Now shows phrases including “Free Palestine,” “Free Gaza” and “Give Land Back,” written in red paint across the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Crews on the scene told DC News Now the paint is water-based and will remove “fairly quickly.”
The incident comes amid a flurry of vandalism, protests and heightened tensions in the wake of Israel’s war with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Several local offices in D.C., along with congressional members’ offices and other properties, have reported vandalism incidents in recent weeks.
Last month, California Rep. David Valadao shared photos where protesters smeared fake blood and plastered “Murdered by Israel” posters on his building’s exterior office to X.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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