Statue of Young Abraham Lincoln is vandalized with red paint on Thanksgiving day
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Woke mob vandalizes Abraham Lincoln statue with red paint and defaces ‘COLONIZER’ and ‘LAND BACK’ during Thanksgiving attack in Chicago
- The statue has stood in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood since it was donated to Senn Park in 1997 and also had the words “Dakota 38” written on it
- Dakota 38 refers to Lincoln’s ordered execution of 38 Sioux, who were publicly hanged for participating in the Sioux Rebellion in the American Dakota War of 1862
- The statue was one of several in the city under investigation as part of a commission set up following 2020 protests targeting controversial historical figures
- This was the second time a statue of Lincoln has been vandalized in Chicago, most recently the first – with a similar message – in Lincoln Park in October
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A statue of young Abraham Lincoln is splattered in red paint with the words “COLONIZER” and “LAND BACK” written underneath in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood.
The statue that has stood in town since it was donated to Senn Park in 1997 also had the words “Dakota 38” written on it.
Dakota 38 refers to Lincoln’s ordered execution of 38 Sioux, who were publicly hanged for participating in the Sioux Rebellion in the 1862 US-Dakota War in Minnesota.
This was the second time a statue of Lincoln has been vandalized in Chicago recently.
In October, a statue of the former president was also defaced with a similar message in Lincoln Park.
Anonymous vandals similarly spray-painted a statue of Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in early October with the words “Dethrone the settlers, land back!” and “Avenge the Dakota 38.”
A statue of young Abraham Lincoln is splattered in red paint with the words “COLONIZER” and “LAND BACK” written underneath in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood
The statue that has stood in town since it was donated to Senn Park in 1997 also had the words “Dakota 38” written on it
The group also posted lists of the 38 Dakota men, saying they wanted to “break down the myth of Lincoln, the great liberator.”
The writings on the ground have been removed and the statue is expected to be cleaned Monday, Chicago Park District spokeswoman Michele Lemons wrote in an email to the Chicago grandstand.
The Park District also reported the incident to the police.
The statue was one of several in the city under investigation as part of a commission set up following 2020 protests that focused on statues of figures with controversial histories. The debate over former US presidents has proved particularly controversial.
The statue was one of several in the city under investigation as part of a commission set up following 2020 protests that focused on statues of figures with controversial histories
Chicago had a statue of Christopher Columbus removed on the recommendation of a city commission, but the same commission proposed further revision of the Young Lincoln statue.
Lincoln, known for helping end legal slavery in the United States, has faced criticism in recent years following renewed attention for his role in the Sioux Rebellion.
Armed conflict between the US and various groups from eastern Dakota raged for six weeks in southwestern Minnesota during the height of the Civil War after four young Dakota men attacked and killed five settlers.
The war killed 358 settlers, 77 American soldiers, and 29 volunteer militiamen.
The number of Dakota victims remains unknown, but Lincoln commuted the sentences for 303 of the 498 Dakota men captured, thereby approving the execution of 38 Dakota men.
Chicago police have not taken anyone into custody, but detectives will continue to investigate.