The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Brendan Smialowski
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A noose was found at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Buzzfeed News reports. The noose was reportedly found by a tourist in one of the museum's history galleries, the Era of Segragation 1786-1968.
On Sunday, Buzzfeed reported that another noose was found hanging on a tree outside a different Smithsonian museum.
Vistiors to the museum were removed from the gallery in order for Park Police to come in and remove the rope. The gallery reopened about an hour later according to Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas.
St. Thomas also told Buzzfeed that the Smithsonian does find today's incident "different" from Sunday's, saying, "In this case it's clearly a message to the museum."
On Wednesday evening, the museum tweeted out a statement from Founding Director Lonnie Bunch. "Today's incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face," it read. "This was a horrible act, but it is a stark reminder of why our work is so important."
In an email obtained by Buzzfeed, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton told staffers that US Park Police are investigating both incidents.
Read Bunch's full statement below.
A statement from our Founding Director Lonnie Bunch on the noose found in our history galleries today. pic.twitter.com/sFWVSaobhV
— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) May 31, 2017