Vandalism has struck two historic African American cemeteries in Austin, Texas, prompting outrage and a call for action amongst community members tasked with their upkeep and preservation. On Wednesday, graveyards where generations of black families have laid their loved ones to rest became the latest targets of disrespect and criminal damage, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.
At Fiskville Cemetery, which dates back over 150 years, Robert Caraway and Jesse Williams were confronted with a distressing scene of knocked-over headstones, some damaged beyond repair, as they told FOX 7 Austin. Williams recounted the deterioration of the cemetery when they began caring for it in 2008, "When we [started] the grass was about five or six feet tall, and you couldn’t find any headstones and families couldn’t lay flowers on their loved one’s graves". Despite improvements and their continued efforts, the vandals took no heed as they even stole the security cameras intended to protect the site.
Similarly, the Evergreen Cemetery, with its rich history dating back to 1926 and has served as the final resting place for many of Austin's notable African Americans, fell victim to a defacement over the weekend. Vandals spray-painted 15 headstones with blue paint, with discernible words like "Kirk," "AIDS," and a sideways numeral eight, as detailed in CBS Austin's coverage. John Nixon of the Parks and Recreation Department suggested the act appeared random; however, the emotional impact upon the community is undeniably targeted and malicious.
Community members like Natalie Marshall, with family, interred at Evergreen, expressed her horror and noted the personal undertones of the desecration: "This is not just a random act of vandalism, there is a purpose, there is a purpose behind this," she told CBS Austin. In response to the incidents, locals have shared plans to hold a vigil at Evergreen Cemetery, demonstrating solidarity and reverence for the hallowed ground and the ancestors buried there.
These acts of vandalism highlight the ongoing challenges faced by historic cemeteries and the communities they serve. Caraway and his wife, who plan to be interred at Fiskville Cemetery, also had their headstone marred. "It’s frustrating for us because we repair headstones and put them back to just find a year or two later they’re busted again," Williams lamented in his interview with FOX 7 Austin. Contributions to the maintenance and repair efforts at Fiskville Cemetery can be sent to a designated postal address, as the cemetery operates on donations.
