The man and woman who spent the Fourth of July vandalizing a Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez, California, are now facing multiple misdemeanors and a hate-crime charge.
A local resident obtained a permit to paint the mural in downtown Martinez in front of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse.
After more than 100 people came together and spent over five-hours painting the mural, Nichole Anderson, 42, and David Nelson, 53, showed up with black paint and began to deface the mural.
Witnesses captured the crime on video, which has since gone viral on social media.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said in a press release:
We must address the root and byproduct of systemic racism in our country. The Black Lives Matter movement is an important civil rights cause that deserves all of our attention. The mural completed last weekend was a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country. We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country.
The vandalizing couple have been charged with:
- Violation of Civil Rights
- Vandalism Under $400
- Possession of Tools to Commit Vandalism or Graffiti
If convicted, these vandals face up to a year in county jail.
Book em!
Source: CBS Bay Area
