Anti-Israel graffiti found at Common, Public Gardens on July 4

Boston police are investigating after graffiti was found on multiple monuments and benches throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden as the city geared up for its Fourth of July festivities.

Vandals targeted the George Washington Statue, the Public Garden Foot Bridge, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, WCVB reported. As many as 15 park benches were also defaced. 

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn shared photos of the desecrated landmarks, which show the phrases “Free Gaza,” “Free Palestine,” and “End Zionism,” and more written in red paint. 

On X, Flynn wrote that he is “disgusted by antisemitic [and] anti-American Veteran desecration” at the memorials and called for the vandals to be prosecuted for a hate crime.

“Defacing public spaces does nothing to further any cause,” Flynn wrote. 

Mayor Michelle Wu told WCVB, “The Public Garden and the Common are some of the most visible places in the city, especially on a weekend, a week and a holiday like July 4th, when we are welcoming people from all around the city and region and world.”

Investigators believe the vandalism took place just before midnight on Wednesday. City workers spent the July 4 holiday removing the graffiti. Boston police are investigating the incident as a suspected hate crime.

Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan told WCVB, “In a time where hundreds and thousands visit our parks in record numbers, both residents and visitors, it’s a shame that vandals targeted historical monuments during a time when we should be celebrating and reflecting on our nation’s history.

Morgan Rousseau

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.

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