Noose found on tree outside museum in nation's capital
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Authorities say a noose was found hanging from a tree outside a museum in the nation's capital.
U.S. Park Police say the noose was found Friday on the grounds of the Hirshhorn Museum. Officials said in a statement that it's unclear how long the noose had been there. It was found by a Smithsonian police officer.
The Washington Post reports that Smithsonian Secretary David J. Skorton said in an email to staff that the institution is committed to being a "welcoming, inclusive and safe place for all." He said he knows staff will join him in "deploring" the act.
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The museum features contemporary art and culture.
The incident comes weeks after someone hung bananas with racist messages from nooses at several locations at American University.