The historically Black graveyard, already in a state of neglect, was defaced with ‘Trump’ graffiti.
By Noah Bookstein
Original Air Date: May 13, 2026
Host: The Old Memphis graveyard in Palmetto, a historically Black cemetery, has been vandalized. Noah Bookstein tells you what happened.
Noah Bookstein: Manatee County investigators are looking into vandalism at a historic Palmetto cemetery. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says 17 gravesites at Old Memphis Cemetery on 25th Street West were damaged—including broken and knocked-down headstones and spray-painted graves spelling “Trump.”
Established in 1904, the predominantly Black cemetery had already been described as neglected in recent years. Detectives believe at least some of the damage occurred on or before March of this year. No remains were disturbed, and no arrests have been made.
Junior Salazar, a Manatee native and immigrant rights activist, is calling the incident an attack on human dignity. “A cemetery is sacred ground,” Salazar said. “No family should ever have to witness hatred displayed at the resting place of those they love.”
Rewards totaling up to $4,000 are available for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information, go to manateecrimestoppers.com.
Reporting for WSLR News, Noah Bookstein.
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