Veterans Park memorials vandalized with pro-Palestine messages

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — At least two memorials at Veterans Park in Lexington were recently vandalized with pro-Palestine messages.

The graffiti, written in red, reads “Free Palestine Cease Fire Now!” and “Free Palestine”.

One memorial that was vandalized was created to honor Kentucky veterans who have served and the other is a military main battle tank that sits next to the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

ABC 36 reached out to Mayor Linda Gorton’s office about the vandalism, which sent us the following statement:

“Clean-up is already underway. We will not tolerate destruction of private or public property. I urge everyone to join our statement in support of peace. The statement was crafted with local Arab and Jewish leaders. It was released earlier this month. We have taken a united stand to ‘keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe’ at a time when there have been extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities around the country. Lexington is saying ‘not here’. Several citizens and faith leaders, along with 10 members of the Urban County Council, have expressed their support of the statement. All residents are invited to join us.”

You can read the statement for peace and safety here:

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Veterans Park is located on Southpoint Drive in south central Lexington.