Couple Charged With Hate Crime For Vandalizing Black Lives Matter Mural

A couple who were filmed defacing a Black Lives Matter street mural with paint, has been charged with a hate crime.

David Nelson and Nicole Anderson are each charged with three misdemeanor counts, including violation of civil rights, vandalism, and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti, the district attorney’s office said in a statement. 

The pair can be seen in the middle of the street, holding paint rollers, attempting to paint over the bright yellow paint. They did not bring enough paint to complete the job.

In the video, the man can be heard saying, “We’re sick of this narrative” and “The narrative of police brutality, the narrative of oppression, the narrative of racism. It’s a lie. It’s a lie.”

They defaced the mural less than an hour after it was painted, and now the cops are looking for the couple.

“We must address the root and byproduct of systemic racism in our country. The Black Lives Matter movement is an important civil rights cause that deserves all of our attention,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement.

“The mural completed last weekend was a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country,” she said. “We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country.”