Traces of red paint were still visible on Plymouth Rock on Monday afternoon.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, with the help of East Coast Powerwashing, had essentially cleaned up the area after several monuments in Plymouth had been vandalized with red spray paint overnight.
Vandals targeted Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrim Maiden Statue, a granite bench, four Scallop Roll Statues, and the National Monument to the Forefathers a mile away from the waterfront.
Down by the waterfront, some of the graffiti was not legible, but rather just blotches of paint. Some of it was legible, however. On Plymouth Rock and at least one Scallop Roll, “508 MOF” appeared in red paint. The number 508 is the area code for many phones in Plymouth.
Plymouth, famous for its association with the Pilgrims, who settled there in late 1620, is this year celebrating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower.
The vandalism also occurred either before or during the earliest hours of the state and federal observance of George Washington’s birthday, leading some observers to wonder if the vandalism is politically motivated. Many commentators see it more as directed against police, given the nature of the messages.
This year, Plymouth celebrates its 400th anniversary & leftist groups have vowed to disrupt the festivities.
Last night, Pilgrim-related statues, monuments & artwork were attacked by vandals, who sprayed satanic symbols and vulgarities.
Several monuments have been vandalized in Plymouth, including Plymouth Rock. Residents are sharing these photos of the vandalism online. Police are aware @boston25pic.twitter.com/urfNF0glHj
A New Boston Post reporter noticed Scallop Roll now features the warning “Security Cameras in Use” on the bottom left side of its base.
Photo by Tom Joyce for New Boston Post
The spray paint job at the Forefathers Monument contained vulgarities and anti-cop rhetoric.
This particular act of vandalism included the “508 MOF” in red spray paint, along with “F— PPD”, in reference to the Plymouth Police Department, and one section that read “F— you c—”. There also appears to be a drawing of an animal.
On the walkway leading up to the monument, vandals spray painted a five-pointed star which featured the numbers “666” adjacent to it. According to the NYPD’s Gang Manual, these two symbols are used in various gangs.
When New Boston Post arrived to take photographs of the scene on Monday afternoon, the graffiti had already been power washed. However, Jake Mowles of East Coast Powerwashing provided New Boston Post with some uncensored photos of what the graffiti looked like before it was power washed.
Plymouth resident Kevin Depathy set up a GoFundMe account to raise $2000 for rewards in hopes that it will help lead to the arrest and conviction of the person who vandalized the historic monuments in town. As of Monday morning, it had already raised more than $900. Any money that is not used for this purpose that is raised will be donated to the Plymouth Animal Shelter.
The vandalism in Plymouth was first reported Monday, February 17 by WCVB-TV Channel 5 in Boston.
A spokesman for the Plymouth Police Department said Tuesday afternoon that police would not at the moment comment further on the case.
The Plymouth town manager, Melissa Arrighi, released two statements about the vandalism via Twitter.
We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town. This is just one of our historic monuments that was hit. We will begin clean up as soon as possible and the police are investigating. pic.twitter.com/kQeTxO7sor
I am pleased to report that cleanup efforts on the vandalism have been remarkable. Thank you so much to the Public Works crews, superintendent Nick Faiella, assistant DPW director Denny Wood, and volunteer Jake Mowles. pic.twitter.com/HE5m5L6RMn
