Political messages were scrawled in red paint across the side of the historic Wilcox House in downtown Plymouth last Thursday morning.
The messages were pro-Palestinian and read, “Divest from Israel” and “Free Palestine” along with multiple inverted triangles, a symbol connected to pro-Palestine protests. The historic home, a Plymouth landmark, is now the office of First Financial Strategies an affiliate of Raymond James Financial, a financial advisory company. That office, at 505 Main St. in Plymouth, was also sprayed with red paint and slogans, according to police reports.
Senior Vice President of Investments at the Raymond James office Carl Meyers is a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents. Members of the board have been subjected to pressure from Palestinian activists protesting the university ties to Israel. Campus demonstrations have taken place since the war in Gaza began. Earlier this month, the home of college Provost Laurie McCauley was vandalized with spray painted messages supporting Palestine.
The historic home at 676 Penniman Ave., across the street from Kellogg Park, is considered a historic treasure by Plymouth residents. The Queen Anne style home was built in 1901 by William Markham, owner of the Markham Air Rifle Factory, which produced the famous Daisy Air Rifle. The house was originally built as a home for Markham’s young mistress, Blanche Shortman. In 1911, the home was purchased by George Wilcox. The home was then owned by the Wilcox family for nearly 90 years. The late Mr. Wilcox established a foundation which continues to financially support multiple civic and charitable causes and events in the community.
“We are working with law enforcement to investigate and are taking additional steps to ensure our associates, advisors, and their clients are safe,” read a prepared statement from Raymond James Financial said.
The red paint has been removed from the home and the vandalism repaired. Plymouth City Police Chief Al Cox told other news media outlets that his office, along with state and federal agencies, was launching a “multilayered investigation” into the vandalism.
