Messy fallout after 'Black Lives Matter' mural vandalized in Santa Cruz, hate crime charges possible

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | July 28, 2021 | Eric Ting

[artichokegrower]

When a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old allegedly vandalized a "Black Lives Matter" street mural in Santa Cruz, they prompted a community outcry and may face hate crime charges — a development that prompted a separate outcry.

[artichokegrower]

"People can have all the opinions they want, but if we have someone who defaces a mural that serves as a symbol of hope for the Black community, there's no question in my mind, nor in the minds of most community members, of what needs to take place," Mills said. "It's just typical social media, where people have lots of opinions and anonymity in the confines of their mommy’s home."

Chief Mills doesn’t seem to appreciate free speech

[alexander_busek]

Would vandalizing a statue of George Washington or Gen. Robert E. Lee likewise be considered a "hate crime?"

Regards,

[econjack]

A mural? It’s painted on the road surface.

[1Old Pro]

I support these Graffiti “artists” expressing themselves.

[ßuddaßudd]

i heard they layed some rubber over it , on the road and now thats hateful..

[Da Coyote]

Vandalize it.
Repeat
Vandalize it.
Repeat.
Vandalize it.
Repeat.
Get the idea?

[V_TWIN]

But this is A-OK 👌

[Irenic]

‘hate crime’... idiots.

[absalom01]

Exactly. These guys left burnout marks on the roadway. That’s dumb, but felony charges are over the top.

[LIConFem]

Since when is BLM a symbol of hope for black communities? Seems to me, alll they’ve done is wreak havoc on black communities.

[Huskrrrr]

Peaceful protest.

[Bob434]

Babylon Bee Title:

“God charged with hate crime for sending a lightening bolt to destroy the mural of George Floyd on the side of a building”

[I want the USA back]

It’s not a mural. Murals are on walls.

Defacing a statue of Columbus and toppling it are celebrated, applauded and encouraged.

There is no justice in America.

[butlerweave]

Not vandals but art critics

[Scrambler Bob]

Paint is slippery for car tires, with even a small bit of extra accelleration.

I find my tires chirp on the white Stopping strip when leaving the intesection.

So unsafe, at the minimum.

My tires started to spin, and I accelerated and ‘turned into the skid’. That’s my driver training, right?

[seowulf]

Whoever painted that mural committed a hate crime, didn’t they?

[Altura Ct.]

F BLM

[eyeamok]

if we have someone who defaces a mural that serves as a symbol of Hate, Anger and Marxism hope for the Black community, HE DID A GOOD JOB!@!@

There fixed it

[PGR88]

I think the tire marks give it a kind of dynamic and active graphic effect. They should be grateful for that.

[Nateman]

How they should have changed it.