Police in Florida are currently investigating a disturbing case of vandalism at the historic Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where 17 gravesites were damaged, and headstones were knocked down. The incident has left the local community shaken, particularly because the vandals chose to spray-paint the names of President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in red letters across the tombs.
Per Reuters, the destruction at the site, located about 31 miles south of Tampa, likely occurred within the past few weeks. No arrests have been made yet, but the investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office remains active. The cemetery holds significant historical value as it was established in 1904 to serve the Black residents of the Memphis neighborhood in Palmetto.
The site is the final resting place of many Black Americans who historically worked at area farms, groves, and packing houses. The cemetery reached capacity in 1977 and eventually entered under the care of the county government in 1988. The nearby New Memphis Cemetery now serves as a public option for those who cannot afford a plot, but the damage to the older, historic site has sparked deep frustration among families with loved ones buried there.
Cemeteries are for the living, so the anger will always be fresh
Edrena Love Freeman visited the cemetery on May 15 to check on her father, a World War Two veteran who passed away in 1970, and discovered that his gravestone had been moved. “I just thought it was evil, it’s just not right,” said Love Freeman.
Another family member, Tracy Washington, echoed these sentiments while calling for official action. “I’m angry. Elected officials need to make sure something gets done about this. Law enforcement needs to make sure there’s a full investigation,” said Washington.
Glenn Searls, a 77-year-old with family buried at the cemetery, expressed his feelings, saying, “When you look and you see ‘DeSantis’ and ‘Trump’ spray-painted on a vault, it makes you wonder if it’s politically motivated, and I tend to believe it is,” Searls said. He added that he felt “extreme anger” regarding the desecration of the historic grounds.
Stacey Sailes-Rhodes had a simpler, direct message for those responsible. “Turn yourself in because it’s not right what you did,” said Sailes-Rhodes.
Unfortunately. Trump has a history of sharing rhetoric that has been described as racist. His administration has also been systematically dismantling various diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
The environment is further complicated by the fact that race has emerged as a central issue in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. Particularly as Republican-led southern states have begun a redistricting process that is expected to strip many Black Democrats of their seats.
In response to the destruction, White House spokesman Davis Ingle addressed the matter in a recent statement. “Anyone who engages in this disgusting behavior must be condemned in the harshest terms possible,” said Ingle. Thus far, there have been no comments from the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Additional details provided by KXAN confirm that the damage extends beyond the spray-painted names. Deputies have noted broken burial vaults and toppled headstones throughout the grounds.
The destruction of these gravesites represents a significant loss for the families who look to the Old Memphis Cemetery as a place of memory and history.
Published: May 16, 2026 08:16 am