THE mural in Manchester’s Stevenson Square remembering George Floyd has been defaced with a racial slur.
It appears that the damage was caused overnight, with workers in the city’s Northern Quarter finding the racist message on their commute in.
The mural was created by artist Akse last month, and has been covered by cardboard in the aftermath.
Manchester City Councillor Pat Karney told the Manchester Evening News: “This shameful racist graffiti is an insult to George Floyd and everything he stood for.
“This is not what Manchester is about. Manchester is better than this.”
MESSAGE: A sign has been left next to the mural declaring ‘Black Lives Matter’
The city centre spokesperson then added that the authority is checking CCTV to find the culprit, saying that authorities “will do everything we can”.
Ellie Martin, 23, discovered the damage on her way to work on Oldham Street. She said: “I walk past the mural every day and noticed it had been defaced.
“I was shocked to see it. I think its a disgusting thing to have happened and whoever has done it should face some kind of consequences.”
George Floyd was a black man killed by Minnesota Police in May, after ex-officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes following a traffic stop.
His death sparked a wave of protests in every continent across the globe, with 15,000 demonstrators gathering in Piccadilly Gardens in June.
Chauvin has since been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, with his colleagues at the scene of the killing being charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
ATTACK: The racist graffiti has since been covered up
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “At around 8.20am on Thursday 22 July 2020, officers were on a routine patrol in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester City Centre when they found racially aggravated criminal damage in Stevenson Square.
“An investigation is underway. No arrests have been made.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting 610 of 22/07/20 or the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
