New York

Man Convicted in ‘Blacks Should Be Killed' Graffiti Case at Historic NYC Burial Ground

The offensive graffiti suggesting black people should be killed was found on a monument plaque at the African Burial Ground National Monument in lower Manhattan

What to Know

  • A man accused of scrawling racist graffiti at the historic African Burial Ground in New York City has been convicted of vandalism
  • The offensive graffiti suggesting blacks should be killed was discovered on a monument plaque in November of last year
  • Thousands of skeletal remains from the 17th and 18th centuries — many of enslaved blacks — are buried at the site

A man accused of scrawling racist graffiti at the historic African Burial Ground in New York City has been convicted of vandalism.

Federal prosecutors say 57-year-old Ivan Nieves, of the Bronx, was convicted of the charge Thursday, but the judge found him not guilty of disorderly conduct.

His attorney had argued it was protected speech. He's to be sentenced on July 17.

Authorities say Nieves was arrested after being seen on area security camera footage. The offensive graffiti suggesting black people should be killed was discovered on a monument plaque in November of last year.

The African Burial Ground National Monument is a National Park Services site.

Thousands of skeletal remains from the 17th and 18th centuries — many of enslaved blacks — are buried there.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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