Ramona Quimby statue defaced with swastika

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two statues were vandalized with swastikas in the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Northeast Portland’s Grant Park.

The statues of Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins, characters from Clearys beloved children’s books, were defaced sometime before 5 p.m. on October 17

A viewer who alerted KOIN 6 News to the vandalism said she was so upset by the graffiti that she cried before reporting it to Portland police.

“The man I spoke with at the police station didn’t sound surprised but didn’t say if it had already been reported,” she said.

Portland police did document the vandalism and the bias crime detail was notified. They do not have any information on the suspect who is responsible.

Keith Lachowicz with the Regional Arts and Culture Council told KOIN there were 2 similar incidents — one was either late Sunday or early Monday — and the second one occurred sometime Wednesday.

Lachowicz said Parks and Recreation and RACC worked together to remove the graffiti both times.

As of Thursday morning, the statues were in good condition and no permanent damage had been made.

This isn’t the first time the statues have been vandalized. In March, the two statues were defaced with swastika graffiti and were later replaced by Antifa graffiti, according to Willamette Week.