Kirkland Black Lives Matter Mural Vandalized, City Says

KIRKLAND, WA — A Black Lives Matter mural created in Kirkland during recent protests was vandalized on Friday, according to a statement from the City Council.

The mural was on display at the gazebo at Marina Park, but had originally been painted on a piece of plywood used to protect the Kirkland Sur La Table store by local students Diane Pizzuto, Kelen D’Ambrosia and Mia Pizzuto.

The mural was moved to Marina Park in an effort to preserve it, according to city officials. Over 4,000 people signed a petition backing the preservation of the mural.

"Acts like this are a painful reminder of how much work we must do to live up to our commitment toward becoming a safe, inclusive and welcoming city," Mayor Penny Sweet said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "This Council has never been more determined to reject such displays of hate and intimidation. The Council urges every member of our community, even those who did this destructive act, to join our City-initiated dialogue to end racism."

Black Lives Matter slogans have been painted on streets and elsewhere around the nation in recent weeks — and many have been vandalized. A mural painted outside Trump Tower in New York City has been vandalized several times, most recently on Saturday. A man and a woman in Martinez, Calif., were charged with three misdemeanors after painting over a BLM mural — an act captured in a viral video.