George Floyd statues vandalized in Brooklyn, Newark

Summary

A George Floyd statue in Brooklyn was vandalized with black paint just eight days after its unveiling. The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, which occurred in the middle of the night and involved the statue's base being tagged with a website linked to a self-proclaimed neofascist organization. The statue, made of 200 individual sheets of plywood, was unveiled on Juneteenth and was defaced on the eve of the sentencing of George Floyd's convicted killer, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The statue's producer expressed devastation, while a family spokesperson emphasized that defacing a statue cannot stop the movement for change.

Takeaways

• 🎨 A George Floyd statue in Brooklyn was vandalized just eight days after its unveiling, with its face spray-painted.
• 👮 The NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit is actively investigating the incident, showing their commitment to addressing hate-motivated crimes.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The NYPD Chief of Department, Rodney Harrison, expressed confidence in finding the perpetrators, highlighting the department's determination.
• 🌃 The vandalism occurred in the middle of the night, suggesting a covert and intentional act of destruction.
• 🏛️ The statue's base was tagged with a website link to a self-proclaimed neofascist organization, indicating a possible affiliation of the vandals.
• 📅 The incident took place on the eve of the sentencing of George Floyd's convicted killer, Derek Chauvin, adding a layer of significance to the timing.
• 😢 The statue's producer, Lindsay Sl, described the act as 'devastating,' reflecting the emotional impact on those involved in the monument's creation.
• 🗣️ A family spokesperson, Courtney Nelson, emphasized that while a statue can be defaced, the movement for change cannot be stopped.
• 🔗 An unrelated George Floyd statue in Newark, New Jersey, was also defaced in a similar manner, suggesting a coordinated effort by the same group.
• 🧹 Cleanup crews are working to restore the monument, showing a community's response to counteract the act of vandalism.

Q & A

What incident occurred at the George Floyd statue in Brooklyn?

The George Floyd statue in Brooklyn was vandalized with its face spray-painted, just eight days after it was unveiled.

Which law enforcement unit is investigating the vandalism?

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

What was the statue's material and how was it constructed?

The statue is made of wood, specifically 200 individual sheets of plywood, perfectly cut and bound together.

When was the statue unveiled and when was it defaced?

The statue was unveiled on Juneteenth and was defaced five days later.

What was the NYPD Chief of Department Rodney Harrison's statement regarding the investigation?

NYPD Chief of Department Rodney Harrison expressed confidence that the Hate Crimes Task Force will find the individuals responsible for the vandalism.

What was the reaction of the statue's producer, Lindsay SL, to the defacement?

Lindsay SL found the defacement devastating and expressed sadness that someone came in the name of hate to deface the statue.

How was the statue defaced and what was the significance of the timing?

The statue was defaced with black paint and the base was tagged with a website of a self-proclaimed neofascist organization. The defacement occurred on the eve of the sentencing of George Floyd's convicted killer, Derek Chauvin.

What was the reaction of the family spokesperson, Courtney Nelson, to the vandalism?

Courtney Nelson stated that while a statue can be defaced, the movement cannot be stopped, and change is inevitable.

Was there a similar incident in another city?

Yes, an unrelated George Floyd statue in Newark, New Jersey, was also defaced in a similar way and tagged by the same group, suggesting a coordinated effort.

What measures are being taken to restore the monument?

Clean-up crews are working to restore the monument, with some members using their bare hands and at times using toothbrushes to clean the statue.

What was the community's response to the vandalism?

The community expressed feelings of heartbreak, disgust, and sadness over the defacement of the statue.