The Black Lives Matter mural located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, was vandalized days after its completion.
According to the reports, the mural had been finalized by Thursday, whereas an unidentified suspect dumped red paint over a part of it on Monday.
As the authorities have confirmed, the suspect, who was wearing a black cap and a black T-shirt, splattered paint over several letters of the slogan before fleeing the scene. The paint was then further spread over the mural by the passing vehicles.
After the cleaning crews had been deployed to take care of the mess, the police asked anyone with information leading to the suspect to reach out.
The authorities have also confirmed that they are reviewing footage in an attempt to identify the perpetrator.
The Fifth Avenue mural is one of five artworks of its kind approved and announced by the New York City.
“When we say Black Lives Matter, there is no more American statement, there is no more patriotic statement because there is no America without Black America,” Mayor Bill De Blasio previously expressed.
“We are acknowledging the truth of ourselves as Americans by saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’ We are righting a wrong.”
Defending the mural that sparked counter-protests in the area was also District Attorney Diana Becton who said that “systemic racism in our country” should be addressed.
“The mural completed last weekend was a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country. We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country,” she said in a statement.
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Replaced!