George Floyd Supporters Demand Answers After NYPD Launches Investigation Into Vandalized Brooklyn Statue

George Floyd’s supporters are calling for answers after the Hate Crimes Task Force unit of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) launched an investigation into the vandalization of the statue modeled after the Minneapolis man.

The statue of Floyd, a Black man who was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin, was unveiled in Brooklyn as a part of the city’s Juneteenth celebration.

However, a few days later, on Thursday morning, the statue was discovered spray-painted black with the address of a neo-Nazi white supremacist group website written on it.

Officials believe the incident took place around 3 a.m. on Thursday, but it wasn’t until about 7:20 a.m. when the graffiti was discovered and reported to authorities.

Locals and politicians have since expressed their outrage over the vandalism and have condemned those responsible.

“This is unacceptable -- as a humanity, as a race, as a whole,” said Courtney Nelson, a Flatbush resident. “We will be back, we’re gonna clean it and keep moving forward.”

The purpose of the 6-foot statue was to commemorate the man whose death sparked a global movement for racial justice. Lindsay Eshelman, the co-founder of Confront Art, refused to allow the situation to overshadow the importance of the figure.

“To bring it here was a collaborative community effort, and we will not let this vandalism, or should I say, ‘hate,’ deter our message,” she said.

Meanwhile, New York City Council Member Farah Louis called for action to be taken against the culprits. “Let us be clear: this is a shameful act, a hate crime, and totally disrespectful to the memory of Mr. Floyd and to the Black community as well our efforts to achieve racial justice and equality. And we will not be deterred,” she said.

“I ask anyone with information to please come forward and contact the NYPD. My office is working with artist Chris Carnabuci, ConfrontART and the We Are Floyd Foundation to repair the damage to this beautiful and moving work of public art.”

After making its debut in Brooklyn, the statue of Floyd is expected to be moved to Union Square in Manhattan within the next two weeks.