Lincoln Memorial steps vandalized with 'Free Gaza,' red paint

The National Park Service on Wednesday is cleaning the steps leading up the Lincoln Memorial after they were vandalized with red paint and the message "Free Gaza" in several areas.

National Park Service conservators began removing the graffiti almost immediately after the United States Park Police found it around Lincoln Memorial Circle and the Reflecting Pool, according to a D.C. Fox affiliate. 

Officials say that multiple treatments may be required over several days to remove all of the graffiti.

The U.S. Park Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call its tip line at (202)379-4877 or to email USPP_tipline@nps.gov.

The graffiti comes as protests and other vandalism incidents have swept the nation in support of Palestine after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. Israel responded with military action, and the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, says nearly 20,000 people have been killed as a result.

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