Francis Scott Key Monument Vandalized

Source: WBAL 1090

Baltimore police are investigating the apparent vandalism of the city’s Francis Scott Key Monument on Eutaw Place in Bolton Hill.

Police were called to the monument at the intersection of Eutaw Place and West Lanvale Street at around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. The monument was defaced with red and pink paint, and the phrase “racist anthem” was sprayed at the monument’s base.

Police are reviewing surveillance footage from buildings around the monument in hoping to find a suspect.

“I am highly disappointed by the criminal act of vandalism on the Francis Scott Key Monument,” Mayor Catherine Pugh said in a statement. “Freedom of speech is welcome in the City of Baltimore, but not at the cost of our public spaces and neighborhoods. Vandalism of any kind is unacceptable, and those found to be associated with this crime will be charged.”

Key, who owned slaves, was inspired to write his verses by the Battle of Fort McHenry on Sept. 13-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.

The seldom-sung third verse says: “No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” Many believe it refers to slaves who fought for the British.

This vandalism is reported three weeks after the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore City was vandalized, with the suspected vandal posting a video on You Tube.

That incident is under investigation.

3 thoughts on “Francis Scott Key Monument Vandalized

  • September 15, 2017 at 12:18 am
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    The n*gg*rs, queers, communists and street trash that vandalized the Francis Scott Key Monument probably assumed he was some sort of “Confederate General,” since they have the equivalent of a kindergarten education, relative to those who were educated prior to 1980…

    • September 15, 2017 at 10:40 pm
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      Baltimore has a LOT of competition from Detroit, Newark, East St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Cleveland, L.A., Oakland, New Orleans, Birmingham, or anywhere else large numbers of “Africanus Criminalis” congregate…

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