NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A six-foot tall statue of George Floyd has been vandalized just days after it was unveiled in Brooklyn.
The wooden bust and its pedestal were spray-painted black, while the web address of a white nationalist hate group was spray painted in white, according to WABC.
The vandalism was discovered Thursday morning, according to Council Member Farah N. Louis.
"Let us be clear: this is a shameful act, a hate crime and totally disrespectful to the memory of Mr. Floyd and to the Black community as well our efforts to achieve racial justice and equality," Louis stated. "And we will not be deterred. I ask anyone with information to please come forward and contact the NYPD."
The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.
The statue by artist Chris Carnabuci was unveiled at Flatbush Junction during a ceremony on Juneteenth. It is scheduled to be displayed for two to three weeks before it is moved to Union Square, officials said.
Meanwhile, another statue of Floyd was also defaced outside City Hall in Newark, New Jersey.
A Newark police sergeant noticed the 700-pound bronze statue was defaced with graffiti around 6 a.m. Thursday. The face of the statue was painted black and the words “LIFE…LIBERTY AND VICTORY" were written on the torso in white paint along with the website of a white nationalist hate group.
“The defacing of the statue of George Floyd has been a trend around the country,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “This horrible act is the very reason that this statue needs to remain and be upheld. As this is not just about George Floyd, it's a deliberate effort to push back against and ultimately dismantle systems of hatred, racism, and white supremacy. We celebrate those efforts in Newark, and will continue to do so, despite the ignorance that has reared its ugly head.”
“We are aware of a similar incident in Brooklyn, and are in communication with our federal, state, and county law enforcement partners, as well as the New York City police. It’s disgusting that what was meant to be a symbol of the dignity of all human life would be disfigured by those who espouse hate,” Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara said. “I stand in solidarity with Mayor Baraka as we pledge to ensure that the criminals who committed this crime are brought to justice. Hate has no place in our community.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is calling for a federal investigation into both acts of vandalism.
"I am calling for a Federal investigation into this incident in Brooklyn and a similarly destructive act on a statue in Newark, as well as any potential connection to the insurrection at the US Capitol this past January," Adams said. "This city must show zero tolerance against hate of every shade, no matter if it is based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic.”
Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last May. His murder led to protests nationwide over racism and police brutality. The officer is set to be sentenced Friday.