The steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. have been vandalized with red paint and pro-Hamas graffiti, authorities have revealed.
The National Park Service is working to remove red paint and the words “Free Gaza” that appeared in multiple places around the area on Wednesday morning.
“Vandalism was discovered in the area of Lincoln Memorial Circle and the Reflecting Pool,” the United States Park Police said in a statement.
“National Park Service conservators have begun the process of removing the paint this morning, though it may take multiple treatments over several days to remove all of it,” Park Police added.
“The steps on the west side of the Reflecting Pool are closed to visitors while the conservation work takes place.”
Local news outlets captured images and videos showing workers washing and brushing away the red paint.
Pro-Hamas vandals have desecrated the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with graffiti. They are truly disturbed and disgusting people. pic.twitter.com/cETGZ8pSfM
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) December 20, 2023
It is not immediately clear who was behind the incident.
According to Fox5 DC, anyone with information about it is urged to contact the United States Park Police.
Numerous pro-Hamas protests have unfolded in Washington, D.C. since the terrorist group launched its surprise assault against Israel in October.
Dozens of anti-Israel protesters were arrested on Tuesday after staging an illegal rally inside the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
The act was led by activist Linda Sarsour, according to reports.
Last Monday, a protest calling for a “ceasefire” led to over 40 arrests at the Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Fox5 DC reported.
The pro-Hamas protesters were illegally demonstrating inside the Congressional space, according to authorities.
Just after 10 a.m., a Capitol spokesperson told Fox 5 that the demonstrators arrived, with one man even climbing a statue in the atrium, before being charged with resisting arrest.
In November, police responded to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee as pro-Hamas demonstrators grew violent.
Leftist protesters, who were initially calling for an immediate “ceasefire,” eventually started demanding that Israel be eliminated.
U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” near the DNC headquarters building on Nov. 15.
Police made arrests and USCP confirmed on X that six officers were injured during clashes with demonstrators.
Authorities said that the officers suffered injuries ranging from minor cuts, pepper spray burns, or being punched by protesters who turned violent alongside peaceful protesters.
One Democrat congressman who was in the building at the time later admitted that the leftist riot “scared me more” than Jan. 6.
READ MORE: Jewish Comedian Jerry Seinfeld Targeted by Pro-Hamas Protesters: ‘Complicit in Genocide’
