LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Cleanup crews blasted away spray-painted messages calling for a cease-fire in Gaza Tuesday morning at a memorial in Veterans Park.
The messages popped up Monday, saying "Cease fire now" and "Free Palestine". They were painted at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and nearby tank in Veterans Park. There was also one painted on a fence near Alumni and Lakeside Drive. T.J. Doyle said he and his wife walk through the park quite often and was disheartened to see the paint.
"For me, it's not my job to comment on why they did that or why they feel that way. I think all of us should come together and work to establish peace," Doyle said.
The United Nations secretary general has advocated for a cease-fire and more humanitarian resources in Gaza, where the local health ministry has said more than 20,000 people have been killed, the vast majority, he said, women and children. The United States has, so far, not signed on to calls for a cease-fire.
Cleanup crews used coal slag to blast away the paint on the concrete. They will paint over the messages on the tank.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton issued a statement Tuesday morning, saying the city wouldn't tolerate destruction of property. It said, in part, "I urge everyone to join our statement in support of peace."
Read the full statement below:
"Clean-up is already underway. We will not tolerate destruction of private or public property. I urge everyone to join our statement in support of peace. The statement was crafted with local Arab and Jewish leaders. It was released earlier this month. We have taken a united stand to “keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe” at a time when there have been extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities around the country. Lexington is saying ‘not here’. Several citizens and faith leaders, along with 10 members of the Urban County Council, have expressed their support of the statement. All residents are invited to join us."
No one has publicly claimed responsibility for the messages.
