Union Square

Vandal Throws Paint on Newly Unveiled George Floyd Statue in NYC

A cleanup effort got underway Sunday morning to clear a vandal's attempt to defame a sculpture of George Floyd in New York City's Union Square.

The larger than life Floyd was vandalized with a smattering of blue paint around 10 a.m., according to the NYPD.

Police in the Manhattan precinct where the art piece is positioned recovered surveillance video showing a vandal mixing paint behind the sculpture before throwing it and riding off on a skateboard.

The vandalism done to Floyd's statue Sunday morning is not the first public attack on art in the man's likeness. A smaller statue unveiled in Brooklyn over the summer was similarly attacked with paint by vandals.

Terrence Floyd stands beside a sculpture of his brother George Floyd
AP Photo/John Minchillo
Terrence Floyd stands beside a sculpture of his brother George Floyd, one of three sculptures unveiled as part of the "SEEINJUSTICE" art exhibition that also features the likenesses of Breonna Taylor and John Lewis, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Floyd's sculpture was one of three prominent Black figures unveiled late last week in Union Square, the site of many protests in the past year. His likeness sits next to statues of late Congressman John Lewis and Breonna Taylor.

The group behind the art installation hopes to call attention to the fight against racism and advance the cause of civil rights. 

"I miss my brother," Terrence Floyd said to a crowd gathered for Thursday's unveiling. "What happened to my brother was the straw that broke the camels back."

Three large statues were unveiled on Thursday of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and late Congressman John Lewis, by a group hoping to call attention to the fight against racism and advance the cause of civil rights. NBC New York's Chris Glorioso reports.

The man who sculpted the statues says his work is intended to encourage people to sincerely reflect on the experience of people of color, those who have experienced injustice and those who have fought for equity and fairness.

"Art creates an environment for civil discourse. We can talk about our differences and maybe even come to some understanding of each other's perspectives," artist Chris Carnabuci said at the unveiling.

The "SEEINJUSTICE" exhibition will be on public display at the square for one month and is intended to "to raise awareness of racism and actions for correction."

A sculpture of John Lewis one of three sculptures as part of the "SEEINJUSTICE" art exhibition that also feature the likenesses of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor
AP Photo/John Minchillo
A sculpture of John Lewis one of three sculptures as part of the "SEEINJUSTICE" art exhibition that also feature the likenesses of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is unveiled Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Union Square in the Manhattan borough of New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Copyright NBC New York/Associated Press
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