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A mural of Breonna Taylor painted in a Louisville park was defaced within a week after it was unveiled, local outlets reported. Tire tracks covered the mural honoring the 27-year-old shot and killed by Louisville police officers last March.
The mural, painted on a basketball court at the Lannan Memorial Park, was unveiled June 4, the day before the slain EMT would have celebrated her 28th birthday. The mural features a portrait of Taylor with the word “coexist” underneath.
Authorities discovered the tire tracks over the mural on Friday night (June 11), though information about who vandalized the mural has not been released by police. During the unveiling ceremony, city officials announced cameras had been donated to prevent vandals from defacing the property.
The project for the mural was initiated last fall and championed by City Council members. Before the mural was officially unveiled, the artist, Comacell Brown, Jr. of Maryland described the process to getting the mural finished.
“We went through a lot of elements,” Brown said, according to a report by Wave 3 News. “Different heat, rain, and we just conquered it. I hope that when we unveil it, it would be something that lasts a long time in the city of Louisville.”
Breonna’s mother, Tamika Palmer also spoke at the unveiling ceremony, noting that the fight for justice is not over.
“She still ain’t got justice,” Palmer said. “So it’s so much work to still do, so don’t give up. Don’t let this be the end.”
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