A church in Reston, Virginia was recently vandalized and set on fire in what police believe to be a protest of the supreme court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a recent report from WTOP.
NOW: @FairfaxCountyPD investigating vandalism at a Reston Catholic church tied to overturn of Roe v Wade. Police say this is also an arson investigation bc small fire set here at St John Neumann Church 1/3 @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/GbOXEs9aI5
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) June 26, 2022
3/3 Police say they are reviewing surveillance camera footage after vandalism at the Catholic church was discovered early this morning. Initial call was for smoking mulch. @FairfaxCountyPD say accelerant used. pic.twitter.com/opLSgqHsMP
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) June 26, 2022
“The remarks spray painted were related to the recent Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling,” the department said. “Officers are working with the staff of the church to review surveillance footage.”
According to police, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded just before 7 a.m. on Sunday to a report of “smoldering mulch” at the St. John Neumann Catholic Community Church. Fire and rescue told police that they believed an accelerant was used to spark the flames and saw spray paint on a sign at the church entrance.
The Diocese of Arlington said that recent developments put parishes like Lady of the Blue Ridge Catholic Church “on high alert” in the weeks before the Dobbs decision was handed down from the high court.
“After the Supreme Court leak earlier this Spring, we contacted our parishes to alert them to the risk of violence or vandalism,” said Billy Atwell, spokesperson for the diocese.
Atwell added that recent threats have pushed parishes toward becoming “alert and particularly vigilant.”
“Parishes have security protocols in place to help address these types of situations,” Atwell said, “and a key part of that plan is having a strong relationship with local law enforcement.”
Fairfax County Police have confirmed increased patrols around parishes in the area and committed to working with regional partners to find the culprit.
This incident comes shortly after police in Lynchburg, Virginia began investigating an act of vandalism that took place at the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center that was vandalized by four masked individuals. Police photos show the entrance and out walls of the center marked with graffiti — “Jone’s Revenge,” “If Abortion ain’t safe you ain’t safe!” anarchy symbols and drawings of coat hangers — and at least three windows with broken glass.
In response to the Lynchburg incident, Governor Youngkin has made it clear that Virginia is no place for threats and violence. (RELATED: Youngkin Offers Support After Vandalism at Crisis Pregnancy Center)
“THERE IS NOW ROOM FOR THIS IN VIRGINIA,” THE GOVERNOR SAID SATURDAY EVENING, “BREAKING THE LAW IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS NOT HOW WE FIND COMMON GROUND.