Nantucket African-American Site Vandalized With Racist Slurs

NANTUCKET, MA – An African-American historical site on Nantucket was vandalized with racist graffiti, police said. The message, which included a racial slur and what police described as a "phallic symbol," was reported around 7 a.m. Sunday morning on the front door of the 19th century home on York Street.

Police believe the building was vandalized between 4 p.m. Saturday night and 6:45 a.m. Sunday morning. Police are searching for the person or persons responsible and emphasized in a statement that the crime is not emblematic of Nantucket's values.

"Nantucket is known for its diverse population and celebrates the diversity of cultures that make up this island community," officials said in a press release. "The officers of the Nantucket Police Department will vigorously pursue the perpetrator(s) of this hate crime."

The African Meeting House was first built in 1827 and restored in 1999.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Nantucket Police Crime Tip Hotline at 508-228-3626.

Image via Nantucket Police Department