Edmonds police are working with downtown businesses to obtain video and identify suspects after multiple businesses were tagged with graffiti early Saturday.
“Our detectives are still collecting evidence and determining how many locations were victimized,” said Edmonds Cmdr. Josh McClure. “We may have collected video, but I am unsure what has been reviewed or is available to provide to the public yet.”
Several blocks near Fifth and Main were tagged with “free Palestine” or “ceasefire” messages. Posters were also left on site, some depicting U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. A message read: “Missing: Have you seen her soul?”
There were no threats made to any groups or particular people, according to police.
According to Edmonds Cmdr. Shane Hawley, between 40 and 50 businesses were defaced. One of many was the Papery’s wall in the alley between it and MOTO. “Free Palestine” was scrawled on the mural “Before Edmonds” from muralist Andy Eccleshall, which honors the Coast Salish people.
Eccleshall has already fixed the mural, using acetone. The graffiti was scrawled with a red grease-like pen similar to the type that has been seen at Civic Park.
Said Mike McMurray, who is bringing Main Street Commons to Sixth Avenue North and Main Street: “It’s a bit hypocritical, considering the history of the Salish people, to choose this mural to deface.”
There were other acts of vandalism.
“At ARTspot, we had our gallerini kiosk and a flower pot broken,” said Tracy Felix. “I have since heard that Cline and Rogue, and some others, had some bad things happening as well. It looks like protests regarding Palestine.
“The bad thing is that our little Main Street businesses aren’t political, and this time of year is so critical for us to make sales. Traffic has really been down for us this year.”
Edmonds City Councilmember Jenna Nand released the following statement:
Edmonds PD
“As a councilmember and a community activist, I would like to make clear that hurting our local small businesses does zero to help the Palestinians or Israelis in the Middle East and only makes life more difficult and frightening for our local Muslim and Jewish communities.
“I have been in consultation with multiple local members of the Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities on how to craft an appropriate response to the conflict in Gaza since we are receiving inquiries as council members. I will read my statement at our upcoming council meeting, during my council comments.
“As an elected official, it is not my job to elevate my voice on issues of global importance. It is my job to elevate the voices of the people in our community who are closest to the trauma and need our support.”