Someone Vandalised Eurydice Dixon’s Memorial And Seriously, What The Fuck Is Wrong With People?
“It’s stupid and hateful and puerile and not really what we are focussing on today.”
The Princes Park site that had become a makeshift memorial for Eurydice Dixon has been vandalised overnight.
Police say they discovered offensive paint markings on the football pitch next to the flower memorial at around 4am this morning. The memorial itself was not disturbed.
Firefighters were brought in to hose away the paint, and council workers this morning covered up what was remaining of the markings ahead of a planned vigil tonight.
Heartless vandals have defaced a public memorial for comedian Eurydice Dixon, who was killed in Melbourne last week. The offensive marking has been covered with large sheets. More than 10,000 people have indicated they will attend a vigil planned at Princes Park tonight. #TenNews pic.twitter.com/wkSOOeiduZ
— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) June 17, 2018
More than 30,000 people have clicked “going” or “interested” in response to a Facebook event for the Princes Park vigil. Additional vigils have popped up in most major cities, as well as Launceston, Bendigo, Ballarat and Albany.
When asked about the vandalism, vigil organiser Pia Cerveri said that she didn’t want to focus attention on what happened overnight.
“We don’t really want to give it much attention,” she said. “It’s stupid and hateful and puerile and not really what we are focussing on today.”
Cerveri told Junkee that the memorial service was about bringing a community together.
“I think it’s partly about solidarity, and partly about coming together in the space to stand together and remind ourselves of the community that does exist,” she said. “The good community, the love, the hope and the compassion that exists in our community.”
Messages on the vigil Facebook event echoed Cerveri’s thoughts.
“Please try not to be triggered today,” Natalie Joan wrote. “Find love in what you can and don’t become toxic by a toxic act. Women rise above. Think of the pathetic inadequacy this act required and don’t fall.”
Posted by Isabel In-Watercolour on Sunday, 17 June 2018
“A pathetic and immature attempt to spoil Eurydice’s memory has been made at the site of tonight’s vigil,” wrote another message. “Emergency crews are working to remove it and succeeding, and the premier is in meetings with Victoria Police ensuring provisions of extra security and lighting for tonight. Like the spineless vandals themselves, this act is beneath notice for me today. Today is about Eurydice.”
Police have charged a man for allegedly raping and murdering Dixon last week as she walked home from a comedy gig in Melbourne’s city.