George Floyd statue vandalized in New York’s Union Square two days after unveiling

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A statue of George Floyd in Union Square in New York City was vandalized on Sunday, two days after it was first unveiled in an exhibit that also features busts of Rep. John lewisJohn LewisClyburn receives award named after John Lewis at Washington Film Festival launch in March Arizona Democratic Party passes resolution criticizing Sinema over filibuster and reconciliation (D-Ga.) And Breonna Taylor.

A man was filmed on Sunday throwing paint on Floyd’s bust around 10 a.m. before leaving the scene, according to the Associated Press, citing police. The statues of Taylor and Lewis would have been unharmed.

Police have not released video of the incident.

The exhibition, dubbed “SEEINJUSTICE”, opened to the public on Friday. The three statues – each measuring nearly six feet and weighing about 1,000 pounds – are made from 200 layers of American mahogany plywood covered in metallic bronze paint, according to the New York Times.

The exhibition, by artist Chris Carnabuci, 57, was inspired by events that took place in 2020, according to Confront Art, an organization that connects artists with social justice causes to create art. public.

Protests against racial injustice erupted last year in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, both killed by police.

Lewis, a civil rights activist who was injured by police during the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” protests in Alabama, died in July of last year.

Confront Art in a statement said the series “aims to honor the lives and continuing messages through art, by linking three iconic people.” The group also said the exhibit was installed in Union Square because the area “historically protected the right to freedom of expression and demonstration.”

The statues, named “FLOYD”, “BREONNA” and “JOHN LEWIS” will be on display in Union Square until October 30th. After that, they will be transported to different cities across the country.

Once the tour is over, the statues will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charities related to Floyd, Taylor and Lewis.

Terrence Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, said that “monuments have meaning,” according to the Times. He also said that the name of the group behind the show, Confront Art, made him feel comfortable with the show.

“It is literally art that is confrontational,” said Floyd. “It cannot be avoided. It should not be avoided. You must know it. “

Carnabuci, in a statement last week, said the installation represents a “global understanding” of racial injustice, adding that such awareness can lead to action and change.

“Following the death of George Floyd, there has been a global awareness and understanding of the scourge of injustice around the world,” said Carnabuci.

“The exhibit represents this holistic understanding, and from understanding comes action, and from action comes change,” he added.

The Floyd statue was first unveiled on Juneteenth on Flatbush Avenue, according to the AP. It was reportedly vandalized five days after being unveiled there, when it was tarnished by black paint and the marks of a white supremacist group.



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