2 Charged For Defacing Martinez Black Lives Matter Mural: DA
MARTINEZ, CA — Two Martinez residents accused of defacing a "Black Lives Matter" mural Saturday were charged Tuesday by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with a hate crime.
Nicole Anderson, 42, and David Nelson, 53, were charged with three misdemeanor counts in connection with their alleged actions, the DA's Office said Tuesday afternoon in a news release.
The mural was painted by a Martinez resident who applied for and was granted a permit to paint "Black Lives Matter" temporarily in front of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in downtown Martinez. The permit was approved by the city of Martinez and the mural was painted Saturday.
In an incident captured on video by witnesses, Anderson is accused of covering up the "Black Lives Matter" mural with black paint, while Nelson is accused of directly aiding in the criminal conduct.
According to the DA's Office, Nelson and Anderson brought paint supplies to the scene of the mural after it was completed. Using black paint and a large roller, Anderson started to paint over the yellow letters "B" and "L" in the word "Black."
The video of Anderson painting over the mural was shared widely by witnesses and on social media, according to the DA's Office.
"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," Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said.
"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," Becton said. "We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country."
Anderson and Nelson are both charged with violation of civil rights (hate crime), vandalism under $400 and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti.
If convicted, they each face up to one year in county jail.
The DA's Office noted that because of the coronavirus pandemic, the charges are exempt from a specific bail amount.
This article originally appeared on the Martinez Patch
