Swastika painted on Vera Katz statue

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A statue of former Portland Mayor Vera Katz on Eastbank Esplanade was vandalized when someone painted a swastika on it Tuesday morning.

Near the statue, a message was written in marker that said, “Vera wants affordable housing.”

Keith Lachowicz with the Regional Arts and Culture Council said Portland Parks & Recreation cleaned up the mess in two hours.

On Thursday, a crew will return to put a wax coating on the bronze statue, Lachowicz said.