Graffiti allegedly linked to a white power movement was discovered at the site of a fire that destroyed parts of a Tennessee nonprofit that promotes social justice.
The nonprofit, the Highlander Education and Research Center, announced Tuesday that it discovered the graffiti near the site of a fire that destroyed its main offices.
No one was injured in the blaze, but officials with the social justice nonprofit said they found the offending graffiti spray-painted on the parking lot near the center’s main office:
“While we do not know the names of the culprits, we know that the white power movement has been increasing and consolidating power across the South, across this nation, and globally,” the group said in a statement.
The center, which is located 30 minutes outside of Knoxville, has been a training ground for community organizers and civil rights movement leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday that officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.
“We are investigating a symbol that was painted in the parking area of the office to see if it has any affiliation to any individual or group,” the sheriff’s office said.
The offices of the Highlander Center burned down not long after racist graffiti was discovered at a Chickasaw Nation office and the Oklahoma Democratic Party headquarters.
Democrats and Republicans in the Oklahoma area condemned the racist graffiti found at the sites.
“We appreciate the outpouring of support for this cowardly act as the community comes together to denounce hate and bigotry,” the Oklahoma Democratic Party said in a statement.
“There is no place in our communities for such despicable symbols and language so clearly meant to threaten other human beings and those with differing points of view,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) said in a statement.
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