George Floyd statue vandalized days after unveiling

A statue of George Floyd in New York’s Union Square was vandalized Sunday, two days after it was first unveiled as part of an exhibit that also features busts of Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) and Breonna Taylor.

George Floyd statue vandalized days after unveiling

A man was caught on video Sunday throwing paint at Floyd’s bust around 10 a.m. before leaving the site, according to The Associated Press, citing police. The statues of Taylor and Lewis were unharmed.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, tweeted Monday that she had directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide whatever assistance authorities might need in their investigation in search of the perpetrator of the vandalism.

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The George Floyd Statue in Union Square has been vandalized. Photos from my producer walking by this afternoon. @zacharyslater pic.twitter.com/G1XJBFnNiz

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) October 3, 2021

The exhibit, dubbed “SEEINJUSTICE,” opened to the public on Friday. The three statues, each of which is nearly six feet tall and weighs about 1,000 pounds, are made of 200 layers of African mahogany plywood coated with metallic bronze paint, according to The New York Times.

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

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

In a statement, Confront Art said the series “aims to honor current lives and messages through art by uniting three iconic individuals.” The group also said the exhibit was installed in Union Square because the area “has historically protected the right to free speech and demonstration.”

The statues, which bear the names “FLOYD,” “BREONNA” and “JOHN LEWIS,” will be on display in Union Square until Oct. 30. After that, they will be taken to different cities around the country.

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