A historical monument in Fredericksburg, Virginia, commemorating George Washington’s mother was vandalized this past weekend with what appear to be Antifa writings.
The revelation came to light on Monday, when the Washington Heritage Museum disclosed in a Facebook post that the Mary Washington Monument was graffitied on two sides. Pictures released by the organization show one side covered in writing that seemingly reads, “Antifa,” while the other is marked with what appears to be an Antifa “A” symbol.
The monument is located near the University of Mary Washington and Meditation Rock, where Mary “prayed for the safety of her son and country during the dark days of the Revolution.”
As The Federalist has previously reported, Antifa is a far-left organization whose often-violent members routinely operate throughout the United States. The group has been linked to destructive activities like the defacing of public property, including historical monuments.
In its Monday post, the Washington Heritage Museum revealed that the Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) had been notified of the vandalism and “is conducting an investigation into the individual or individuals responsible.” The nonprofit group further asked members of the community to provide any information they may have about potential suspect(s) and offer donations to help with the monument’s restoration.
“We hope those with additional information about this unconscionable display of vandalism will come forward to help us identify those responsible,” the group wrote.
When pressed by The Federalist on the status of the investigation, FPD Public Information Officer Caitlyn McGhee did not provide specific details but confirmed that the agency’s investigation is still ongoing. She further noted that the police department is “asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may assist in the investigation.”
According to the Washington Heritage Museum, “The Mary Washington Monument is not only a tribute to America’s First Mother but also an important part of Fredericksburg and an incredible reminder of the role that our city and region played in America’s story and founding.” The monument is also the first “ever erected by women to honor a woman.”
The desecration of the Mary Washington Monument is the latest in a string of destructive attacks against American historical sites. In recent years, left-wing radicals have graffitied and toppled statues and memorials paying homage to noteworthy figures and moments throughout U.S. history.
The Washington Heritage Museum did not respond to The Federalist’s request for comment.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood