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The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says it will be investigating graffiti that was found at the South Riding shopping center over the weekend that included racist words, LGBTQ+ slurs, anti-Semitic symbolism, and other hateful rhetoric.
However, while police investigate, some members of the community came together to help erase the hate, including children who drew over the graffiti and others volunteering to power wash and scrub the messages away, according to reports.
Additional photos of the clean-up efforts can be found here, courtesy of Timbers Landscaping.
There was also a rally held that included dozens of members of the community who sported signs and expressed their faith in the community.
“It has come to our attention that hate speech has been graffitied in the Food Lion shopping center,” organizers of the rally posted online. "We are showing up to let South Riding know we won’t tolerate this and show support for our diverse, inclusive community.”
The graffiti has since been removed, but the sheriff's office continues to investigate the incident to identify potential suspects.
Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney Buta Biberaj released a statement on the graffiti following its discovery at the shopping center.
“Without a doubt, Loudoun County is made better and stronger by the diversity of our residents, "she said. "This weekend, our community was attacked by individuals who chose to graffiti the South Riding shopping center with vile and hateful markings.
"This public display of hate speech is sadly another reminder that there are some who will choose to try and divide our community, or worse threaten our safety,” Biberaj continued. “The intentional attack on specific, marginalized groups within our county will not be tolerated."
No information about a possible suspect or suspects has been released by the sheriff’s office, which continues to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Det. Fornwalt at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office by calling (703) 777-1021.
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