A memorial park in the US, dedicated to the memory of Beastie Boys legend Adam Yauch, has been defaced with pro-Donald Trump and Nazi propaganda.
The Brooklyn children’s playground, which was renamed in honour of the Jewish muso after he died of cancer in 2012, was spray-painted with swastikas and the slogan “Go Trump”.
It’s the latest in what SMH dubs a “surge in hate crimes” across the US following the shock election of the KKK-endorsed president Trump, and the non-redneck populous are understandably very worried.
New York-based screenwriter Karen Wang tweeted a photograph of the vandalism, writing: “Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn Heights was left defaced with ugly symbols of hate today. This cannot be the new normal!”
.@beastieboys Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn Heights was left defaced with ugly symbols of hate today. This cannot be the new normal! pic.twitter.com/xWjS7HLNyG
— Karen Wang (@kw492) November 18, 2016
In response to the grotesque display of anti-semitism, New York politicians have banded together to announce a “stand up against hate” rally happening today (US time), which has since won support from the surviving Beasties.
“Hate has no place in Brooklyn, NYC, or America. Join us on Sunday to stand against hate messages,” the group tweeted.
Hate has no place in Brooklyn, NYC, or America.
Join us on Sunday to stand against hate messages.
11:30, Adam Yauch Park, Brooklyn, NYC pic.twitter.com/DZXcUyZauP— Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) November 19, 2016
While the NYC Mayor’s office has vowed to track down those responsible for the hate crime, tweeting: “Adam Yauch stood for tolerance. Call 911 if you see vandalism, harassment or hateful acts.”
Adam Yauch stood for tolerance. Call 911 if you see vandalism, harassment or hateful acts. #NotInOurCity https://t.co/scpiFTkNix
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) November 18, 2016
The organisers of an annual Brooklyn-based event celebrating the life, music and legacy of Beastie Boy Adam “MCA” Yauch — dubbed MCA Day — also posted about the incident, sharing some of Yauch’s lyrics to the Beasties’ Bodhisattva Vow on Facebook, which seem oh-so-relevant now considering the unfolding daily terrors of our new Trumpian reality:
“Knowing love can conquer hate in every situation / We need other people in order to create / The circumstances for the learning that we’re here to generate / Situations that bring up our deepest fears / So we can work to release them until they’re cleared / Therefore, it only makes sense / To thank our enemies despite their intent.”
Listen: Beastie Boys – ‘Bodhisattva Vow’
