Lincoln Memorial vandalized with red paint and ‘Free Palestine' message

Crews are cleaning up outside the Lincoln Memorial after someone vandalized it with red paint, U.S. Park Police said.

The words "Free Palestine" and another message saying in part "land back!!" were spray painted at the base of the memorial, on the steps near the reflecting pool, an image from WTOP's Kate Ryan shows.

Wednesday morning the area between the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial was painted with graffiti including messages of “Free Gaza”. Crews were at work to remove the paint almost immediately. US Park officials say multiple treatments may be needed. pic.twitter.com/64uM0aSuxR

— Kate Ryan (@KateRyanWTOP) December 20, 2023

Another photo taken from below the memorial showed splatters of red paint on the steps.

The vandalism was discovered Wednesday morning, police said. Officers cordoned off the area, and crews from the National Park Service (NPS) are working to remove the paint from the stone.

“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," NPS spokesperson Mike Litterst said.

The steps on the west side of the reflecting pool are closed to visitors until the work is finished, he said.

Police are reviewing security camera video from the site. They ask anyone with information to call their tip line at 202-379-4877 or email USPP_tipline@nps.gov.