Lincoln Memorial steps vandalized with 'Free Gaza' graffiti
The steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington were vandalized overnight Tuesday with graffiti that read "Free Gaza," among other phrases, according to U.S. Park Police and local news reports.
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. Wednesday.
U.S. Park Police said National Park Service conservators began the process of removing the paint Wednesday morning. The removal process could take several days, and the steps on the west side of the Reflecting Pool are closed to visitors in the meantime, police noted.
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."
DC News Now is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.
Park Police asked anyone with information to contact its tip line at 202-379-4877 or by email at USPP_tipline@nps.gov.
The incident comes amid a flurry of vandalism, protests and overall 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.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said his home in Washington state was vandalized earlier this month "by people advocating for a cease-fire in Israel and Gaza," which came shortly after Herzl-Ner Tamid, a synagogue in his congressional district in Washington, was vandalized last month.
Last month, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who is Jewish, said his New York City district office was vandalized and defaced with spray-painted pro-Palestinian slogans, including "Free Palestine," "Let Gaza live" and "Blood on ur hands."