The Lincoln Memorial was vandalized with the phrase “Free Gaza” written in red paint.
The National Park Service worked to remove the graffiti immediately, although complete removal may take several days.
Steps leading to the Lincoln Memorial have been defaced with red paint. @NationalMallNPS crews are cleaning it up. No word on who did this but that person/persons have left the area. Updates as we get them. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/bpAtZwbiBz
— Bob Barnard (@barnardfox5dc) December 20, 2023
Anti-Israel graffiti was also seen at a menorah display at Oakland’s Lake Merritt.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao issued a statement blasting the “desecration and act of vandalism.”
“We stand together against hate, against antisemitism and against bigotry in any form,” Thao said. “And when someone commits such a crime, they are attacking the foundation of our City.”
A Democrat member of Congress said earlier this month that his home in Washington was vandalized by pro-Palestinian protesters calling for a ceasefire in the war.
“[M]y house was vandalized by people advocating for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. This attack is sadly reflective of the coarsening of the political discourse in our country, and is completely unwarranted, unnecessary, and harmful to our political system,” Smith stated following the incident.
Smith has been vocal about his support of Israel and its “goal of significantly degrading and ultimately eliminating the Hamas terrorist organization.”
