Nightcliff jetty vandalised with messages in support of Gaza

The overnight act at Nightcliff and other areas of Darwin has been labelled as carried out in ‘poor taste’ and a ‘waste of taxpayers’ money’.

Nightcliff jetty was found vandalised with messages in support of Gaza on June 27. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nightcliff jetty, war memorials and signs were found covered in graffiti messages in support of Gaza on Sunday.

Residents walking along Foreshore were shocked to find green graffiti scrawled on signs and a Palestinian flag painted at the end of the Nightcliff jetty.

The vandalism has been labelled by residents as carried out in “poor taste” and a “waste of taxpayers’ money”.

Nightcliff Foreshore signage and jetty were vandalised overnight. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It is understood other similar acts were carried out in Fannie Bay and the Casuarina area mentioning an upcoming protest.

The new paintwork was found hours before protesters waving Palestinian flags waited to greet Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Darwin’s naval base.

One Nightcliff resident commented online saying there were many important issues people should speak up about in the world, but vandalism was not the right course of action.

Residents have called the action as “plain vandalism”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“But not through gratuitous vandalism,” she stated.

“Imagine what the world would look like if we all just took a spray can to whatever we wanted about whatever we thought?”

Some who would otherwise support the message have decried the action online saying the graffiti has “gone too far”.

One commenter stated: “I agree what’s happening in Gaza is abhorrent. This though is just plain vandalism.”

“This does the legitimate cause no good,” another user posted.

A Nightcliff Foreshore war memorial was also graffitied. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

When contacted, Lord Mayor of Darwin, Kon Vatskalis said it was a matter for the Territory Government and that it had already been reported by residents.

“I sympathise with the demonstrators’ passion,” he said.

“But sometimes you have to remember what you do and where you do it, it might cause opposite reactions to what you expect.”

Kat McNamara, Nightcliff MLA, was also contacted for comment.

Originally published as Nightcliff jetty vandalised with messages in support of Gaza