WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — National Park Service (NPS) officials were searching for vandals who they said painted pro-Gaza graffiti outside of the Lincoln Monument and Reflection Pool early Wednesday morning.

Workers spent the day power washing and scrubbing the bright red paint off of the steps and landing in front of the monument. The area where the phrases “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” had been painted was blocked off with cones and red tape.

Park workers said the paint appeared to be water-based, which made it easier to erase, but said that it would take multiple treatments to fully clean the painted areas.

“I think people need to have a little bit more respect,” said Keith Cain, who was visiting the nation’s capital with his wife, Delinda, from Alabama.

The couple said they hoped to get a variety of pictures inside and out of the Lincoln Memorial but were unable to because of the graffiti.

“Putting graffiti in national monuments? It’s not going to change what’s going on over there,” Keith Cain said. “I understand you want to protest but there are better ways to protest.”

Delinda Cain said she wasn’t happy with the disruption.

“I’m upset that it has ruined our photos because they’re in the way,” she said.

Martin LeBlanc, who lives in Seattle but was visiting D.C. with family, said protesters have a right to protest, but this wasn’t the way to show that effort in opposition to the war in Gaza.

“It’s just really nice that people are here working to actually take it off so they can see the monuments for what they really represent,” LeBlanc said. “Everyone has a right to free speech and you want everyone to have the ability to share their political beliefs, but I would say I think there are better ways to showcase that.”

Rossella Russo came to visit the monuments, too, with her family visiting D.C. from Italy. She said didn’t agree with the graffiti message from those opposed to the war.

“I understand protesting, but I don’t agree with the fact that this beautiful monument got disrupted,” she said. “It’s kind of sad that we don’t get to enjoy it as beautiful as it could be.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the United States Park Police tip line at (202)-379-4877 or e-mail USPP_tipline@nps.gov.