Masked vandal dumps red paint on BLM mural in front of Trump Tower, NYC mayor cheekily says 'nice try'
The huge Black Lives Matter mural, which has been painted in front of the Trump Tower in Manhattan on the orders of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, was seen being vandalized by a man dumping red paint on it. In a Twitter video posted by witness Oscar Vela on Monday, a man wearing dark clothing, a black cap and a face mask, was seen strolling up to the mural with a can of red paint. As Vela got near the man, he was seen dumping the paint all over the letter “V” in the word “Lives.” The vandal was clearly not expecting someone to record him in the act as he hurriedly collects his belongings and runs away from the scene.
“What’s your name?” Vela says, yelling “Run, bastard, run!” as the masked vandal runs away from the spot and disappeared at the end of the street after taking a turn. The police were contacted regarding the vandalism incident. They confirmed that the man dumped the paint around 12:13 pm and they immediately fled on East 56th Street.
The vandal did manage to accomplish his job somewhat as the rest of the mural was smeared by paint by passing cars. However, it did not dampen the spirit of the city authorities. “To whoever vandalized our mural on 5th Avenue: nice try @NYC DOT has already fixed it,” the mayor tweeted Monday evening.
We previously reported that De Blasio planned to install a massive Black Lives Matter mural just outside Trump Tower in Manhattan. It was reported that the mural will be painted in yellow block letters along Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th street. A source said, "Obviously he is doing it to antagonize the president," reported NY Post. "This is what he is concerned about while the city burns. What an amateur politician," an insider added.
Look what I just witnessed! Ran like a big coward! Very sad! 🤬#nyc #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/3SdzPkslXh
— Oscar Vela (@OscarVelaNYC) July 13, 2020
The source also added that the mayor's office had contacted the Department of Transportation about the likelihood and feasibility of the mural but it was mentioned that de Blasio was keen to have it done. The idea of the mural emerged after a June 7 meeting along with community leaders and activists which included Rev Kevin McCall and Gwen Carr, a source said.
De Blasio reportedly came up with the idea days after Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had 'Black Lives Matter' painted along a street leading to the White House. As per sources, the plan was finalized last week after the locations for the other murals across the five boroughs were announced on Juneteenth. The installation, set to be made outside Trump Tower, will pop up across all five boroughs. Currently, three have been planned for Manhattan, one in Harlem, and one in front of Trump Tower.
Julia Arredondo, a spokeswoman for the mayor, shared, "The president is a disgrace to the values we cherish in New York City. He can’t run or deny the reality we are facing, and any time he wants to set foot in the place he claims is his hometown, he should be reminded Black Lives Matter." Earlier this month, de Blasio said, "It’s time to do something officially representing this city to recognize the power of the fundamental idea, Black Lives Matter — the idea that so much American history has wrongly renounced but now must be affirmed."
The idea of the mural being painted in front of his property did anger trump. He tweeted on July 1: "NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue. This will further antagonize New York’s Finest, who LOVE New York & vividly remember the horrible BLM chant, 'Pigs In A Blanket, Fry ‘Em Like Bacon.' Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street. Spend this money fighting crime instead!"