An obscene message was spray-painted on the base of the Christopher Columbus monument in Columbus Circle over the weekend. Authorities discovered the vandalization Saturday evening, less than three weeks after police took down the protective barricade that had surrounded the statue since last summer.

A spokesperson for the Knights of Columbus’ national headquarters told The Tablet that they condemned the act of vandalism as a crime against all who cherish democracy and mutual respect, calling the “attack” unfortunate. “We believe that society must have civil debate on serious issues and social challenges and not settle differences with violence and destruction.”