A noose was found on the floor of an exhibition in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. This is the second incident in the last week of a noose being found on museum grounds. The gallery containing an exhibit on segregation was closed for about three hours while U.S. Park Police investigated the incident in the nation’s capital, Smithsonian officials said. 

“The Smithsonian family stands together in condemning this act of hatred and intolerance, especially repugnant in a museum that affirms and celebrates the American values of inclusion and diversity,” Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton wrote in an institution wide email. 

Museum founding Director Lonnie Bunch III said in a statement that the incident is a “painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser chimed in on the unfortunate incident via Twitter: “It is an unfortunate irony that a sign of intimidation/ignorance would be placed on our National Mall where Americans of all walks of life come to learn more about who we are, celebrate our diversity and leave inspired to improve their lives, communities and country.”