A tree planted in a Ferguson park in memory of black teen Michael Brown was replaced on Monday after it was vandalized over the weekend. The tree was damaged the day after it was planted.
The original sapling was chopped off at the trunk in January in Wabash Park, according to police. The concrete and metal dedication plaque located at the base of the tree was also taken.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the damaged tree was discovered Sunday. The newspaper said that no witnesses or suspects have been found.
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association donated the tree as a dedication to Brown, who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in August and set off several protests. The tree was planted Saturday.
The tree dedicated to Brown was not the only one that was damaged. The other damaged sapling was dedicated to a Ferguson resident’s dead pet. The plaque was also taken from the base of that tree. Like Brown’s tree, it was cut off at the trunk.
American Library Association President Courtney Young and BCALA President Kelvin A. Watson said, in a joint statement, that they were “saddened” that a “heartfelt gift from the library community” was not accepted. They added that the vandalism demonstrates community members’ ability to refuse to “learn from its history” and “continue to repeat the mistake of violence.”
Young and Watson also claimed they are “not giving up on Ferguson” and “the death of the tree has not abolished our commitment to facilitate a positive growth” in the community. They said they would continue to promote tolerance and peace in the community. And they began by replacing the vandalized trees.
Both trees were re-planted on Monday, according to USA Today. Brown’s plaque is expected to be replaced later this week.