A day after the words "Black Lives Matter" were painted on the street outside the Vermont state capitol building in Montpelier, the painting was found vandalized Sunday morning.
In a statement, Governor Phil Scott said the incident "only reinforces that we're not immune to racism, divisiveness and hate in Vermont." The Republican said Sunday, "We must redouble our efforts to dismantle systemic racism and bigotry, and stay united as Vermonters."
Vermont House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, a Democrat, called the vandals "anonymous cowards" and said "their actions reinforce the need to address head-on the racism and white supremacy right here in our communities."
Capitol Police, Buildings & General Services Staff, and Montpelier Police were reportedly working to restore the panting and find those responsible for the vandalism.
