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An iconic mural of George Floyd was vandalized this week in Minneapolis, according to stewards of his memorial. 

Marcia Howard, a teacher and activist, posted a video to social media Friday morning about the vandalism. It showed a tray of cream paint below the mural, with a portrait of George Floyd painted over.  

“We have been attempting to keep this place secure and sustainable and sanitary and sacred, so if you wanna help my comrades and us out in that effort… you know the drill,” said Howard, rallying supporters. 

Marcia Howard posted on social media about the incident.

The mural adorns the outside of the grocery store renamed Unity Foods, at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where Floyd took his last breaths.  

The murals spoke out: Reflecting on protest art in the wake of George Floyd's murder

Jeanelle Austin, a caretaker of the memorial there and executive director of George Floyd Global Memorial, told MPR News the vandalism might have taken place Tuesday night. Caretakers noticed it on Wednesday morning and immediately got to work on restoring the mural. 

Austin said art conservators assessed the damage and started cleaning on Thursday. One of the mural’s artists, Cadex Herrera, will refresh the mural with new paint.  

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George Floyd’s face was painted over in an iconic mural at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, according to a video posted to social media Friday morning by Marcia Howard. 

A mural of George Floyd, the center covered in off-white paint.

Activists, artists work to restore vandalized George Floyd mural

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