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Lincoln Memorial steps vandalized with red paint, messages reading ‘Free Gaza’

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U.S. Park Police are investigating after vandalism was found near the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. Wednesday afternoon.

Messages and red paint were splattered on the steps between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool. Among the painted messages were “Free Gaza.”

The Lincoln Memorial itself sustained no damage and remained open to the public.

“On Wednesday, December 20, National Park Service conservators removed almost all of the latex and spray paint from the area around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool,” Mike Litterst, chief of communications for National Mall and Memorial Parks, told WTOP. “The conservation team will apply one more treatment and wash to remove the remaining light shadow from the spray paint on Thursday morning. The team anticipates complete site restoration and removal of all paint following this final treatment.”

U.S. Park Police are asking that anyone with information on the vandalism contact its tip line at (202) 379-4877 or email at USPP_tipline@nps.gov.

Vandalism Lincoln Memorial
Messages and red paint were splattered on the steps between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.

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