IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — The base of the flag monument on Titus Avenue in Irondequoit was vandalized with political messages in black spray paint, discovered on Wednesday morning.

Irondequoit Town Supervisor Andraé Evans said the vandalism is very upsetting.

“We have the right to protest anything in our nation but to vandalize government property that all of our taxpayers have to pay for is just really not the right message,” he said.

Evans said it’s upsetting that the vandalism happened on Sept. 11, a day when Americans are supposed to come together to remember the victims of the terror attacks 23 years ago and the bravery of first responders.

“To protest on this day that’s so reverent to America is just heartbreaking,” he said.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello released the following statement on the vandalism:

“The desecration of the Irondequoit Flag Monument today, on the anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks our nation has ever seen, is reprehensible and shows shameful disrespect to our servicemen and women. To compare the American military response to the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent individuals on American soil to terrorism is wrong. Let us stand together and turn our thoughts to the importance of this day –one to honor and remember the innocent civilians whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001, the first responders who charged head first into danger, and the men and women who stepped up to serve in the United States Armed Forces to defend our nation and our freedom.”

The vandalism has since been covered up and is under investigation.