Police in Florida are investigating a disturbing act of vandalism at a historic, predominantly Black cemetery where 17 gravesites were desecrated.
Headstones were knocked down, and the names “Trump” and “DeSantis” were spray-painted in red letters on tombs, referencing the politicians.
Detectives believe the incident in Palmetto, a town approximately 31 miles south of Tampa on Florida’s west coast, occurred within the past few weeks.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Glenn Searls, 77, expressed “extreme anger” on Wednesday over the damage at the Old Memphis Cemetery, where several of his family members and acquaintances are buried.
“When you look and you see ‘DeSantis’ and ‘Trump’ spray-painted on a vault, it makes you wonder if it’s politically motivated, and I tend to believe it is,” Searls stated, referring to the cemetery established in 1904 for Black residents of Palmetto’s Memphis neighborhood.
Trump has a history of sharing racist rhetoric, and his administration dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
This vandalism unfolds within a polarized political climate ahead of the November midterm elections, where race has become a prominent issue as Republican-led southern states undertake redistricting efforts that could diminish Black Democrats’ representation.
Neither the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, nor Trump’s White House press office immediately responded to requests for comment.
Edrena Love Freeman reported on Wednesday that she found her father’s gravestone had been moved.
“I just thought it was evil, it’s just not right,” Love Freeman said, standing by the grave of her father, a World War II veteran who passed away in 1970.
