Californians Who Allegedly Defaced Black Lives Matter Mural Face Hate Crime Charge

A couple spent the 4th of July painting over a portion of the Black Lives Matter street mural in downtown Martinez. It happened about 2:30 this afternoon and a bystander captured it on video. Caution: graphic language #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #FourthofJuly pic.twitter.com/Kq8PuXgJ44

— Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) July 5, 2020

Two residents of Martinez, California, who allegedly vandalized a Black Lives Matter street mural on Independence Day have been charged with a hate crime, officials said Tuesday.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office said Nichole Anderson, 42, and David Nelson, 53, face three misdemeanor charges, including vandalism, for allegedly painting over the mural on Saturday ― shortly after it was completed by community members outside a county courthouse in Martinez.

If convicted, Anderson and Nelson face up to a year in county jail, Becton’s office said.

A local resident had obtained a permit from the city to paint the mural, police said.

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