Obama Monument in Georgia Vandalized Ahead of One Year Anniversary
Police in Georgia are investigating an act of vandalism after a monument dedicated to one of Michelle Obama's ancestors was trashed. Authorities are trying to figure out who knocked over the monument.
The stone monument was created to honor Melvinia Shields, the great-great-great grandmother of the First lady. Shields was born into slavery in 1844 and later moved to Georgia.
"When I saw it, I shed a few tears," Vicki Smith told WSBT.
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Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton said the monument company will have to check the stone slab for signs of cracks or chips after the monument was pushed off its foundational block. The news quickly spread around the small town and upset many residents who took pride in their unique tie to the White House.
"It was our little source of pride because here we are in little old Rex, Georgia, and we had ties to the White House, so there's pride in us for that," Singleton said.
The monument was dedicated just about a year ago, and the community in Clayton County came out to honor and cheer the monument's installation.
"We're going to believe just the way we showed that unity on that day here in Rex when we had the dedication of this memorial, we're going to believe that there's not that kind of hatred or dissension that someone would do this," Singleton said.
Organizers had already been planning another celebration to recognize the special history of the area that was to take place at the monuments site and community organizers are hopeful the monument will be fixed by then.
