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On Monday, the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department revealed its decision to launch an investigation following the vandalism of a Catholic school in Long Beach, California. This incident has prompted serious attention due to its nature and impact on the community.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon, took to social media platform X to announce, “The @CivilRights will open an investigation into this awful crime.” The statement underscores the gravity with which the department is treating this case, reflecting its commitment to addressing violations of civil rights.
The Holy Innocents Catholic School fell victim to a disturbing act of vandalism that affected its assembly hall, chapel, and several classrooms. School officials have reported significant damage, with numerous religious symbols and icons being targeted.
Images from the scene reveal the extent of the destruction: statues have been shattered, images of the Virgin Mary and other religious figures were defaced, and a photograph of the pope was found discarded on the floor.
This shocking act of desecration at the Holy Innocents Catholic School has not only damaged property but also deeply affected the local community, prompting both a federal investigation and a call for reflection on the motivations behind such acts of vandalism.
The vandalism also includes defecation on school grounds, as well as partially consumed food and drinks left behind, allowing authorities to conduct DNA tests as they search for suspects, according to Fox 11.
Local police and the FBI have been contacted about the incident.
Investigators said the church suffered an estimated $100,000 in damages from the break-in, Fox 11 reported.
Investigators said the church suffered an estimated $100,000 in damages from the break-in. (KTTV)
“Statues smashed. Images of Our Lady destroyed. The tabernacle thrown to the floor. This is one of the worst cases of vandalism the local bishop has ever seen. Hatred of Christ only destroys hearts. Pray for this school,” Lila Rose, president of pro-life group Live Action, wrote on X.
Members of the church said they were heartbroken after learning about the desecration.
“There are crucifixes. There are statues of the Blessed Mother. The tabernacle itself was taken and thrown on the floor and the Sacred House is there. That, to me, is more traumatizing than anything else. It’s not just the material things. It’s the heart behind the things,” Holy Innocents school principal Cyril Cruz told Fox 11, adding that “evil is out there, so we need to pray.”
Members of the church said they were heartbroken after learning about the desecration. (KTTV)
A GoFundMe launched to support the school has raised nearly $60,000 as of Tuesday morning.
“What appears to have been multiple perpetrators smashed statues and ruined images of our Lady, other statues as well, and threw the tabernacle down … Bishop Mark Trudeau said that it is the worst case of vandalism that he’s ever seen in the region,” the fundraiser reads.