The Manatee County Commission has agreed to allocate $100,000 from its discretionary fund for the restoration and security of the Old Memphis Cemetery, which had 17 graves vandalized, including some with the words “Trump” and “Ron DeSantis” spray-painted on them in red.
At a meeting on May 19, the Commissioners voted unanimously to fund the project, which will include fencing and possibly security cameras at the historically Black cemetery in Palmetto.
On May 12, it was discovered that 17 graves were vandalized by the breaking of vault lids and the toppling of headstones. Spray paint was also used to desecrate some of the gravesites. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said there was no indication that any remains were removed or disturbed.
As of May 21, no arrests had been made, and no one has been charged in the case.
Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who represents District 2, said that after a citizen called her on May 12, she visited the site and then called the Sheriff’s Office. She said that the cemetery had been in this condition for months, and no one reported it to County officials. She also said that the Offender Work Program has been mowing the site for three years, and no one reported damage. Ballard said concerns about the cemetery date back 40 years.
Many local businesses have stepped up, according to the County, including Gilliam Construction, which donated services to replace the broken tomb lids.
On Saturday, May 23, the Manatee County Government, along with the cities of Palmetto and Bradenton, will be hosting a cleanup at the cemetery beginning at 9 a.m.
“The County has a responsibility to protect our heritage, history, and preserve the dignity of our dead and their families by providing fencing and security cameras to prevent future vandalism,” the County said in a statement.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County allocates funds to restore vandalized cemetery
Reporting by Chris Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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