An Emmett Till historical marker in Mississippi was destroyed by vandals

In October, a Mississippi historical marker for Emmett Till was riddled with bullet holes in an act of vandalism.

Now, less than a year later, a second state historical marker has been defaced, destroying information about the black teenager whose name became a civil rights rallying cry after he was kidnapped and murdered in 1955, according to the Associated Press.

The sign, unveiled in 2011, is part of the Mississippi Freedom Trail, a route that includes landmarks highlighting the state’s African American history. It stands within yards of the business — Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market in the town of Money — where Carolyn Bryant, a 21-year-old white shopkeeper, alleged that Till offended her.

“Who knows what motivates people to do this?” Allan Hammons, the owner of a public relations firm that produced the sign. “Vandals have been around since the beginning of time.”

Hammons told the AP that the Freedom Trail marker cost more than $8,000. He noted that repairs will cost at least $500.