A black man has been arrested for the vandalism of the Tupac statue over the weekend at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts. The suspect, in what was believed to be a hate crime by the Center's staff, is black, the police report reveals.
Early Saturday morning (October 20), vandals allegedly defaced the headquarters of
the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, and made their way to the Center's
Peace Garden, where the bronze Tupac statue was located.
On Monday morning (October 22), at approximately 2 a.m., another suspect returned and did
more damaged, ultimately leaving the Center with broken windows, and the Tupac sculpture costumed with handbills
of racist messages referencing Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, as well as
alleged threats against different rappers and recording labels.
According to the police report, a wooden cross hanging off a nylon string, was hung around the statue's neck, along with stickers and underwear thrown across the head.
The black suspect was caught by an on-duty security guard while defacing the statue. The suspect was allegedly drunk, and told security he was there because he "wanted to talk to Tupac."
The crimes are currently under investigation by the DeKalb County
Sheriff's department.
"Although our hearts are temporarily in pain, our spirits have already forgiven the perpetrators," Afeni Shakur, the Center's founder and mother of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, said in a statement.
"Hate comes
in all colors and genders, therefore we will use this act of hate and
ignorance to bring our community together and to pray for the healing of
those who harbor such feelings. With God's guidance, the work of the
Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts and Peace Garden will continue to
positively impact and transform our community."
Founded in 1997, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation trains youth in the
area of creative writing, singing, acting, and other forms of artistic
expression. The Center officially opened in 2005, and includes Bricks
Memorial with Tupac quotes, and pavilions.
Tupac Shakur, a fiery rapper and actor known for mirroring a gritty and
misunderstood lifestyle straight out of a lyrical notepad, was gunned
down in Las Vegas at the age of 25. He died from gunshot wounds on
September 13, 1996 at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. His
murder remains unsolved.
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Comments
1.
T-Taanewai-S says:
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look i love Tupac i have since i was born.but the attitude and the hate we throw at this person that has defaced him. is exactly what there doin we need to stop and think. and approuch this sittuation in a calm way.remember pac didnt want hate or for us to hate sumone else for what they've done he wants peace and an end to world poverty im from NIMBIN australia if anyone no's anything about NIMBIN u'd realise i can see exactly what Tupac wants ive been stuck in the struggle for to long now.if we want to change this hate.then we have to undastand it.do u really think Pac wants anyone dead especially afta his own death.I DONT THINK SO. much love NIMBIN MALITIA T-Taanewai-S
February 3, 2008 at 9:17 pm
2.
tasaan1 says:
Only reason he said he wanted to talk to Tupac was because he figured out at the last minute, M$#@%^& in jail would kick his A$$. Drunk people usually act out truthfully!!!
November 13, 2007 at 4:47 pm
3.
kay says:
Im back again!! I am pissed as hell!! Ima go krazy in this muthaf**ka!! I wanna kill that muthaf**ka who did that 2 mah dawg 2pac!! All tha muthaf**kin reel g'z is upset as a muthaf**ka!! Die slow muthaf**kin busta!! 2pac OUTLAwz baby!! Ride or die for him man!!
November 8, 2007 at 3:34 am
4.
kay says:
f**k that muthaf**ka who did that 2 my homie 2pac!! that is disrespect!! I am not only pissed but hurt, how can u do that 2 a legend that is no longer on this earth!! 2pac loved his people so how can his own people do such a thing!! People in jail luv 2pac so that muthaf**ka dead as it is!! much luv & respect for Afeini Shakur!! RIP Tupac!!
November 8, 2007 at 3:24 am
5.
Pooh says:
SOME PEOPLE CAN BE SO CHILDISH. EVERYBODY SHOULD RESPECT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 31, 2007 at 8:58 am
6.
DL says:
RESPECT HIM PUNKS!
October 27, 2007 at 12:40 am