The Black Lives Matter mural in Bastion Square in downtown Victoria was vandalized Friday evening, according to VicPD.
Officers were called to the Square around 8 p.m. on September 11 for a report that a man had sprayed over a portion of the mural, police said in a tweet.
The man reportedly sprayed over a portion of the mural that contained the initials “ACAB,” which have been the subject of controversy in recent weeks.
The initials have been used to mean “All Cops Are Bastards/Bad” and were contained in the mural’s larger message, which reads “More Justice More Peace.”
The letters “ACAB” were drawn within the larger letter “s” in “Justice.” In addition to spraying over these letters, the man added the message “9/11 Never Forget.”
We're looking for witnesses & a suspect after the mural in Bastion Square was vandalized Friday evening. Officers were called to the Square around 8pm for a report that a man sprayed over the "ACAB" portion of the letter "S" of the mural & added "9/11 Never Forget". #yyj (1/2)
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) September 14, 2020
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak issued a statement on August 27 calling the “ACAB” message “deeply disrespectful” and called for it to be removed.
Artists and activists involved in the creation of the mural said they had no intention of removing the message.
VicPD say that the portion of the mural that was vandalized has since been partially repaired.
Police are now searching for witnesses to the vandalism or anyone who may recognize the suspect.
He is described as a white man, wearing a black ball cap, red t-shirt, green camouflage pants and black shoes.
Anyone who recognizes the man should call VicPD at 250-995-7654 ext. 1. Those wishing to report information anonymously can contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.