State House struck by abortion-related vandalism

By VTDigger Editor

An unknown person or people smashed seven windows at the Vermont State House in Montpelier early Saturday morning, June 25, and spraypainted a message on the front portico of the building, according to the Capitol police.

The message read, “If abortions aren’t safe you’re not either.”

The State House was due to open Saturday for its summer tour season but was closed to allow for repairs and cleanup, according to the Capitol police. The department estimated the damage would cost in excess of $25,000 to remediate.

The abortion-related graffiti appeared the day after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion by overruling its Roe v. Wade decision. Close to 1,000 abortion-rights supporters rallied around the state Friday afternoon and evening at peaceful protests.

Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, whose office window was among those broken, issued a statement Saturday afternoon condemning the vandalism. “I am alarmed by these attacks on our State House — my workplace — and condemn them in the strongest possible terms,” Gray said. “Vermonters are feeling deep anger and frustration in the wake of yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling. I share this frustration. However, threats of violence and destruction of property are absolutely unacceptable and never the solution.”