Update 06/28/2021 12:44pm:
Previously, it was revealed that a statue of George Floyd was placed in Newark, New Jersey, as well as Brooklyn. However, both statues were vandalized, with the Brooklyn statue being defaced only a week after the unveiling. As a result, the New York City Police Department said they are launching a hate crime investigation.
The NYPD stated what happened to the statue, saying, “Black spray paint was used to deface the sculpture (face) and to cover text on the pedestal.” The NYPD noted white spray paint was used to add a stencil of the website for Patriot Front, which is reportedly a white nationalist hate group. The group allegedly has ties to the incidents that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
News of this comes following the verdict of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd for almost 9 minutes, resulting in his death. Chauvin received 22.5 years in prison as a result of the murder.
source: NBC News
Original 06/18/2021 9:38pm:
The city of Newark, NJ, unveiled its 700-pound statue of George Floyd made of bronze. The statue will reportedly rest at Newark City Hall for at least a year before moving elsewhere.
“The world needed a peaceful George,” said sculptor Stanley Watts. “The world needed him relaxed and chilling on a bench and that’s what we produced and we produced him larger than life because, after death, George will be remembered — and that’s what memorials are — it’s to remember and never forget why we changed today and tomorrow and for the rest of our existence on this planet. I believe that in my heart, and my art will speak for itself.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the statue was a "gift" and hope this inspires other cities “to become active in the struggles that are happening right here in Newark and right here in New Jersey.”
Source: twitter.com
