The large Confederate monument on Broad Street in downtown Augusta has been defaced tonight by someone who spray painted anti-white messages.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has responded, and witnesses at the scene in the 700 block of Broad told a Chronicle reporter they noticed someone spray painting the landmark at about 8:30 p.m.

Messages were marked in black and include the words black power, I hate whites and cracker killers as well as an obscenity against whites in large letters.