A mural honoring African American icons at Miami's Dorsey Park was vandalized with racist and antisemitic graffiti.
The Miami Police Department said they were made aware of the graffiti on the section of the mural at Northwest 17th Street and 1st Avenue and are investigating it as a hate crime.
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WATCH HEREImages shared by the MLK Mural Project showed the slurs and symbols sprayed in white paint over the faces of several Black icons, including Jackie Robinson.
“You could tell they purposely selected that part to dig deeper,” said Kyle Holbrook, the founder of the MLK Mural Project. “Make no mistake — this was racially motivated. This was a hate crime.”
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Holbrook, who created the mural, said the graffiti appeared either Sunday night or Monday morning.
Crews quickly covered the offensive messages with tarps. Holbrook says the act of hate will not erase the meaning behind the mural. Instead, it will fuel a new chapter of healing and unity.
“This was an act of hate, but it will not define us,” Holbrook said in a statement. “This mural was born from a community’s pride, history, and power. We will restore it—stronger, bolder, and with even more purpose. Black history is American history. And no spray paint can erase that truth.”
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The mural was originally painted in 2012 through the MLK Mural Project. It pays tribute to figures of Black excellence, including Robinson and members of the Negro Leagues and the Ethiopian Clowns — athletes who once played in Overtown. Holbrook has created over 300 murals worldwide to "promote peace, cultural pride, and public art engagement."
“We’re going to make it way better and way more powerful by having even more kids involved this time,” Holbrook said. “We’re not going to allow hate to win.”
Several people reported the vandalism to police. It’s unclear if there are any suspects at this time.
