Tacoma restaurant targeted with anti-gentrification graffiti

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TACOMA, Wash. — A popular Tacoma restaurant was hit by vandals overnight Wednesday by someone spray-painting profanity about yuppies and accusing the business of gentrifying Tacoma’s working-class Hilltop neighborhood.

The front outside wall of the Hilltop Kitchen was painted with the words “f**k you yuppies” and “gentrified."  “I think because of the type of business we are we’re probably being targeted,” said part owner Chris Keil.

The Hilltop Kitchen is located in the heart of a neighborhood with a predominantly African American population.  But Keil said he doesn't think he was targeted because he is white but because of one or two people he calls "keyboard warriors" who have posted negative things online about the upscale and hip customers who frequent the business.

“These are misguided people who have discovered a few big words and a can of spray paint,” said Keil.

The graffiti was removed by early Wednesday morning. No suspects have been identified.

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