The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., has been vandalized with, “Free Gaza,” graffiti and red paint resembling blood.
The memorial’s famous steps will remain closed during the cleanup, U.S. Park Police told ABC News on Wednesday.
“National Park Service conservators have begun the process of removing the paint this morning,” police added.
The police expect cleanup to last several rounds of power-washing across the next few days, according to a statement obtained by ABC.
Petty criminals have chanted, “Free Palestine,” while attacking other locations, too.
Vandals painted the slogan on statues at Lafayette Park across from the White House last month.
Protestors blocked the Bay Bridge in California around that time, and now 17 of them have been charged with false imprisonment.
Police officers are soliciting tips from anyone with information about the incident at the Lincoln Memorial. The officers are available by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at by phone at 202-379-4877.
Take a look —
Anti-Israel activists destroy Lincoln Memorial as part of their daily global intifada. pic.twitter.com/W2sTvN3Rsf
— Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) December 20, 2023
High pressure washers were among the tools used by US Parks conservators to scrub graffiti from the area in front of the Lincoln Memorial Wednesday morning. US Park Police ask anyone with info to contact the tipline: 202-379-4877 [email protected]. pic.twitter.com/9zDMuTNZMw
— Kate Ryan (@KateRyanWTOP) December 20, 2023
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
#BREAKING: Vandals scrawled the words ‘Free Gaza’ in red paint on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial https://t.co/tc2DsWmkkw @barnardfox5dc pic.twitter.com/z4P7pGmVP8
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) December 20, 2023
Despite all the attention, the vandals seem to be losing the war of public opinion against the establishment.
59% percent of Democrats approve of Biden’s approach to the conflict, according to an AP-NORC poll released earlier this month. By comparison, only 50% of Democrats approved of Biden on this issue last month.
His latest standing is roughly equivalent to Democrats’ 57% approval rating for him on the issue in an August poll, conducted well before the latest war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel.
Still, Democrats remain divided on their issue. They expressed more approval for Biden’s overall job performance than for his handling of the war. Seventy-five percent of Democrats said Biden is doing well as president, also up slightly from 69% last month.
Meanwhile, conservatives — roughly half the country — remain unified against Biden’s job performance, including his stance on the war.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.