The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information on a group accused of vandalizing a historic northeast Atlanta church.
The heritage sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church, pastored by Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock and once served by Martin Luther King Jr., was vandalized July 3, days after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the FBI announced Thursday.
The group of about 10 people is accused of spray-painting the message, “If abortions aren’t safe, neither are you,” on the side of the building, according to the FBI. The group was wearing all black at the time of the vandalism.
After the incident, the group crossed Auburn Avenue toward Memorial Rose Garden. The FBI said the group then walked through the area of the garden with different clothing and separated into two groups.
The heritage sanctuary, which is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, stopped being used for services in 1999 when the new church, referred to as the horizon sanctuary, was completed.
FBI offers a $10k reward for info, arrest, and conviction of suspects responsible for the vandalism. Camera's captured the group vandalizing Ebenezer Baptist Church Heritage Sanctuary. Call 1800-Call-FBI or send tips to https://t.co/mgzWaqRnkn. pic.twitter.com/o2xsXCNtH9
— FBI Atlanta (@FBIAtlanta) December 29, 2022
Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows the group walking around the night of the incident. The video does not show the group vandalizing the church.
Take a look at this video. FBI offers a $10k reward for info, arrest, and conviction of suspects responsible for vandalism. Camera's captured the group vandalizing Ebenezer Baptist Church Heritage Sanctuary. Call 1800-Call-FBI or send tips to https://t.co/mgzWaqRnkn. pic.twitter.com/ueSOn9imaZ
— FBI Atlanta (@FBIAtlanta) December 29, 2022
Protests after the overturning of Roe v. Wade were not uncommon. The U.S. Supreme Court decision ended the nation’s constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. The decision was the result of decades of efforts by anti-abortion activists and a conservative side of the court strengthened by three appointees by former President Donald Trump.
Anyone with information on the individuals involved is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or send tips to Tips.FBI.gov.
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