SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
Two memorials in Griffin – one in Veteran’s Memorial Park and the second in the old Confederate Cemetery – were vandalized overnight Friday.
Both were damaged with red spray paint with phrases including “F*CK THE POLICE,” “PEOPLE OVER PROPERTY” and “BLM.”
Griffin Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Daniel Jett said the damage was limited to those locations.
“There’s one there (Veteran’s Memorial Park) and one in the old Confederate Veteran’s Cemetery which is right beside it, right beside the veteran’s park,” he said. “As far as I know, it was only two.”
Jett said the vandalism would likely be charged as a misdemeanor.
“It would more than likely fall under criminal trespass, so it would probably be a misdemeanor because a misdemeanor is anything less than $500,” he said. “At this time it’s under investigation. That’s all we really have at this time.”
He said he is unaware of any organized protests in recent days.
Officials say they are not aware of any further damage to any other memorials, and that no grave markers in Oak Hill Cemetery were damaged.
Griffin-Spalding Military Affairs Committee Vice-Chairman Dick Morrow denounced the vandalism.
“Desecrating war memorials honoring the men and women, black and white, who died in wartime service to our country is despicable. I have contempt for anyone doing such vandalism,” he said.
City of Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg said he is seeking avenues to bring people together.
“I mean, it’s criminal damage to property whether it’s monuments, businesses or people’s lives,” he said. “There’s got to be a way to react that’s nonviolent, that brings healing and unity at the same time. As a city and state and country, we’re all trying to find the right path to be just and humane to all citizens.
Concerned residents have already turned out to attempt to clean the paint from the memorials.
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