The Christopher Columbus Statue on Boston's North End was vandalized Monday night with red paint and the phrase "Black Lives Matter," Boston police said.

Red paint was poured over the top and sides of the white marble statute. The slogan, which has become a common refrain at demonstrations across the U.S. in protest of police violence towards African Americans, was spray painted in black letters.

Statues and memorials around the country have been targeted by vandals in recent weeks and Boston police say they will keep an extra eye on the city's monuments.

The Boston Park Department cleaned and restored the statue on Tuesday morning.

northendwaterfront.com

The photos were originally posted on NorthEndWaterfront.com.