Statues of Former Presidents, Other Historical Monuments Vandalized in 4 States over Thanksgiving

Historical monuments and statues have been graffitied or toppled in four cities since Wednesday — seemingly in protest of America’s past.

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The words “land back” were spray-painted on statues and buildings in multiple cities. The LANDBACK campaign is an Indigenous movement against white supremacy and for Indigenous food sovereignty, housing, and clean air and water.

In Chicago, vandals tried but failed to topple a park statue of President William McKinley early Wednesday using a rope tethered to a car, police said.

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In Portland, Oregon, protesters broke windows and sprayed graffiti, including the words ‘land back,’ on several markets early Thursday, according to a police press release announcing three arrests.

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An Abraham Lincoln statue in Spokane, Washington, was also been vandalized with red paint late Wednesday or early Thursday, the Spokane Police Department said.

And, in Minneapolis, two statues were graffitied on Thursday, CBSN Minnesota reported. One of George Washington was toppled and splattered with paint, and on another statue, the words “no thanks,” “no more genocide,” “decolonize,” and “land back” were spray-painted on it.

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