Graffiti at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens not hate crime, police say
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Raleigh Police Department is saying that recent graffiti spray painted on a brick wall at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens in southeast Raleigh is not a hate crime.
In fact, Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown, a black woman, noted that the vandalism wasn't even racist.
Deck-Brown believes the person or persons responsible invoked Dr. King's words to help ease the current unrest in the Triangle and around the nation in the debate over monuments.
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In addition to quoting King on poster boards taped to the wall, someone spray painted "Let his own words speak loud" on the wall.
The graffiti was quickly cleaned off by city crews but police posted pictures on social media to quell any concerns that the vandalism was racist.
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Those who work in businesses directly behind the gardens expressed relief but also dismay over the method used.
Shabowanna Parker, who owns a beauty salon near the gardens, told ABC 11 she was very relieved but still considers it a crime.
At a neighboring daycare center, Sharon Cannon said, "A positive message but the wall- I just don't think the wall was the place to put it. I think it maybe should be put on a banner or something."
Police said they are still searching for the person(s) responsible.
