Thanksgiving vandalism: ‘Land back’ written on damaged statues



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Vandals damaged statue of pioneers at BF Nelson Park in Minneapolis, spray-painting the words “no thanks”, “no more genocide”, “decolonize” and “land on” Dawn Sommers, spokesperson for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, told CNN.

The pioneer statue has already been the subject of criticism and controversy, she said.

A statue of George Washington has been knocked down and graffiti at Washburn Fair Oaks Park in Minneapolis, Sommers added. The damage was discovered on the afternoon of November 26.

“The MPRB is working with the community to approach and respond using a racial equity lens to determine next steps,” she said in a statement.

In Chicago, a statue of former President William McKinley was vandalized around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“A rope was thrown around her in an attempt to knock her down with a vehicle,” a Chicago Police Department spokeswoman told CNN.

The phrase “back to earth” was seen engraved on the statue’s pedestal in a video provided to CNN by affiliate WBBM.

In Portland, Oregon, three people were arrested after spray painting and smashing windows in at least 10 businesses early in the morning of Nov. 26, police said in a statement.

“Grocery stores, banks, an auto service center, a parcel and mail distribution center, and local business windows were damaged,” the Portland police statement said.

Portland Police responded to reports of people breaking windows and spraying graffiti on November 26.

In images provided by police, the words “back to earth” can be seen spray painted on at least two stores.

And in Spokane, New York, police said a statue of former President Abraham Lincoln was splashed with red paint. Police discovered the damage just after midnight on November 26, Constable Terry Preuninger told CNN.

For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning

No arrests were made during the incidents in Minneapolis, Spokane and Chicago.

The fourth Thursday in November is recognized by some as a “National Day of Mourning” to mark the theft of Native American tribal lands, rights and sovereignty.

A plaque in Plymouth, Massachusetts, near the site of the 1621 meal shared by pilgrims and an indigenous tribe, reads: “Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of people, the theft of their lands and the Ongoing Assault on National Day of Mourning participants honor Indigenous ancestors and Indigenous peoples’ struggles to survive today. “

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