City of Kirkland issued the following announcement.
Late Friday night vandals defaced the Black Lives Matter artwork on display by the City at the Al Locke Pavilion at Marina Park. The Council strongly condemns this hateful and destructive act and would like to urge anyone with any information as to the identity of the vandal or vandals to contact the Kirkland Police Department.
“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,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “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.”
For more information on how to participate in this ongoing conversation, contact Neighborhood Services Outreach Coordinator David Wolbrecht at dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov.
The art was originally created on plywood used to protect the glass storefront at Sur La Table, on the corner of Central and Market, in early June amid concerns about potential civil unrest. Artists Diane Pizzuto, Kelen D’Ambrosia and Mia Pizzuto created the mural as a message of hope, change and inclusivity, and as a reminder to be kind and accepting of everyone. Community members were immediately impressed and inspired by the mural, launching a grassroots effort to preserve the piece when the business owner expressed an interest in removing the plywood.
When our community members approached us with a collective desire to see this art positioned elsewhere in the City, we listened. The Kirkland Parks and Community Service Department positioned the art in the Pavilion at Marina Park, with the intention of displaying the piece throughout the summer while the Pavilion remains closed to rentals and special events.
The Kirkland City Council is inspired by and grateful to the artists for immediately seeking to repair the damage and repaint this unique, colorful work of art. This type of vandalism can only be remedied through swift eradication and a fierce commitment to restoration. Vandals do not prevail.
Again, we ask, if you have any information that could help us identify the vandal or vandals, please contact the Kirkland Police Department nonemergency line at: 425-577-5656. Together we will rise to meet this crucial moment in our history and harness the power of collective action to end racism in our City and across the nation.
Original source can be found here.
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