Victoria Police looking for suspect after controversial mural vandalized
Posted October 31, 2020 4:55 pm.
Last Updated October 31, 2020 4:56 pm.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Victoria police are looking for a suspect after a controversial mural was found vandalized with spray paint Saturday morning.
They say witnesses reported seeing a suspect arrive on a red-and-white motorcycle before spray-painting over a letter in the “More Justice, More Peace” mural that had recently been updated with a statement from the artists.
The artists covered the letter “S” with black and added a message that read: “This letter has been censored by the City of Victoria influenced by the Victoria Police Department. In doing so, Victoria is contributing to the silencing of Black and Indigenous voices and experiences across this land.”
The "More Justice, More Peace" mural in Bastion Square was vandalized this morning. Suspect: Caucasian man, 5'8'', med build, multi-colour motorcycle helmet, blue vest over green sweater, dark cargo pants, riding red & white motorcycle. @VicCrimeStop https://t.co/VtHPzd56mR pic.twitter.com/cOvJb4fOtr
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) October 31, 2020
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak said in a statement that the change is as offensive, if not more so, than the original anti-police rhetoric in the initial artwork.
The city-sponsored mural became the center of controversy earlier this year because it included the acronym ACAB, which is commonly held to mean “All Cops Are Bastards” or “All Cops Are Bad.”
A Victoria city official is calling on everyone to respect public art.