Scapegoats: Washington memorial vandalized - and some link it to Israel
The suspect was allegedly documented spraying the inscription "Clean hands, dirty money" and pouring soap into the World War II Memorial fountain. Red and green paint was sprayed on the granite stones, and it is speculated that this is a protest against arms supplies to Israel. The suspect faces two charges, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
A woman was arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the National World War II Memorial in Washington, after she was allegedly documented spraying a mysterious inscription on its walls and pouring soap into one of the fountains. The incident sparked sharp reactions in the United States, including condemnation from President Donald Trump - while authorities have yet to announce what the motive for the act was.
Federal Prosecutor for the District of Columbia, Jennin Pirro, announced on Friday that the suspect, Melissa L. Paris, was arrested and is being held in federal custody. Two charges were filed against her: causing damage to United States property and vandalizing a memorial dedicated to veterans. Each of the charges carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison.
"Damaging our World War II memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred site that commemorates the Americans who fought and died for our freedom," Pirro stated. "Among these Americans are also my father and my grandfather."
In footage obtained by Fox 5 station in Washington, a woman is seen allegedly spraying paint on the memorial and adding soap to the fountain water. As a result, the fountain and the plaza near the Atlantic Ocean arch were filled with large piles of white foam. Under the arch, the inscription "Clean hands dirty $" was sprayed in red, and red and green paints were splashed on parts of the granite structure.
The combination of the message and the red and green colors may resemble the colors of the Palestinian flag, however, no inscription explicitly mentioning Israel, Gaza, or the Palestinians was found at the scene. Authorities have not determined that such a connection exists and have not attributed a pro-Palestinian motive to the suspect.
However, Maddie Hairston, a 21-year-old student who visited the site, told the "Washington Post" that she interpreted the message as criticism of the way the federal government uses taxpayer money. According to her, the inscription may refer to expenses for arms supplies to Israel or the construction of the "Trump Arch."
"Taxpayer money is directed to things that don't really improve society," she said. Hairston emphasized that even if it is a political protest, the choice to spray the message on the memorial was insensitive.
"First the Reflecting Pool, and now this - we are following in their footsteps!"
The first reports of the vandalism were received on Thursday around 15:00. Police officers, investigators, and National Guard soldiers arrived at the scene, cleared the visitors, and closed off the memorial with yellow police tape. In Reuters photographs, one of the investigators is seen measuring the affected area. Cleaning crews arrived shortly after 18:00 and began removing the paint.
"The vandalism that occurred is a complete disgrace and we will not let it pass," the US Department of the Interior stated. "The Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know that we will find the person responsible for this horrific act."
Trump also condemned the act in a post he published on the Truth Social network. "There is no greater insult to the American heroes who died in World War II," he wrote. "First the Reflecting Pool, and now this. We are following in their footsteps! Where do these animals come from???"
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial organization stated that it is "deeply troubled" by the incident. "There are many places in our country to express opinions, for debate and disagreement. A national memorial dedicated to those who served and those who did not return home should never be used as a surface for vandalism," it was stated. The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization called the act "a slap in the face to the soldiers who served and sacrificed and the families who bore the burden at home."
The memorial was inaugurated in 2004 and commemorates the approximately 400,000 Americans who were killed and the 16 million American soldiers who served in World War II. It was reopened in mid-May after a renovation that lasted several months and cost about four million dollars.
