Plymouth Rock has been vandalized with graffiti as the Massachusetts town that bears its name prepares for the 400th anniversary of the pilgrims’ arrival in America.
The landmark designated to honor when the pilgrims first stepped on the continent in 1620 was found vandalized Monday, in addition to the Pilgrim Maiden statue and the National Monument to the Forefathers.
#PlymouthRock vandalized overnight. Crews have removed the spray paint. Several other town monuments hit too. #7news
Photo courtesy of Peter Sullivan. pic.twitter.com/Y0kDaFHav3— Kimberly Bookman (@KimberlyBookman) February 17, 2020
The message on the monument was an obscene one directed at police.
Photos of the rock showed “508” and “MOF” painted over Plymouth Rock’s “1620 inscription.
Lea Filson, executive director of tourism organization See Plymouth condemned the vandalism but praised the community for coming together in response.
“Seeing this type of disrespect for the historic reminders of the Mayflower story is both sad and unsettling,” Filson said. “The outpouring of concern and anger over the incident has been a positive ending to a thoughtless gesture.”
We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town. This is just one of our historic monuments that was hit. We will begin clean up as soon as possible and the police are investigating. pic.twitter.com/kQeTxO7sor
— Melissa Arrighi (@MelissaArrighi) February 17, 2020
“We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town,” Plymouth town manager Melissa Arrighi tweeted. “We will begin clean up as soon as possible and the police are investigating.”
The message on the monument was an obscene one directed at police, USA Today reported.
“We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town,” Plymouth town manager Melissa Arrighi tweeted.
“We will begin clean up as soon as possible and the police are investigating.”