Couple That Painted Over Black Lives Matter Mural Charged With Hate Crime

According to reports, the couple seen painting over a Black Lives Matter mural in a now-viral video have now been charged with a hate crime.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has revealed that David Nelson and Nicole Anderson are now facing three misdemeanor counts, including violation of civil rights, vandalism and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti. In the video, the couple is seen engaging with a group of bystanders as they paint over the bright yellow mural outside of the courthouse in Martinez, California, on July 4. The mural has now been repainted since the incident and blocked off by chalk images.

“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. Going on to say, “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. We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country.”

Throughout the video, Nelson and Anderson note that they are sick of a “narrative.” Nelson went on to expand the though saying, “The narrative of police brutality, the narrative of oppression, the narrative of racism, it’s a lie.” Nelson and Anderson will be sent notices to appear in court, if convicted of the misdemeanor charges, they could face up to a year in county jail.

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