NME reports that a New York park, dedicated to the memory of Beastie Boys member Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, has found itself defaced with both swastikas and pro-Donald Trump graffiti. Yauch died in 2012 following a battle with cancer, aged 47. Tributes to the artist were widespread at the time of his passing, and the park was erected in Brooklyn Heights, where the rapper was born.
The vandalism of the park comes in the same week that the Beastie Boys’ iconic debut album Licensed to Ill celebrated it’s 30th anniversary since it’s release, commemorated by a special, heavyweight vinyl pressing of the album, that can be found at the Beastie Boy’s website.
New York councillor Brad Lander took to Twitter to both share and respond to the alarming graffiti, which was pictured with young children playing around it.
Yet more hatred & anti-Semitism from Trump supporters. Swastikas on the playground equipment in Adam Yauch Park in BK Heights. #NeverIsNow pic.twitter.com/Xbcwo4enfF
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) November 18, 2016
Lander elaborated in a follow-up tweet, making the vandalism even more disturbing. As well as this, the councillor promised both locals, and fans of the Beastie Boys, that the hateful graffiti would be removed directly.
Adam Yauch is weeping for our country. Mom was Jewish. Practiced Buddhism. Spoke out against Islamophobia. Apologized for homophobic lyrics.
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) November 18, 2016
NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and @NYCParks staff on-site immediately. Will be painted over tonight. No place for hate. We will not be cowed.
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) November 18, 2016
This defacement adds to a politically turbulent week in hip-hop, with current 2020 front-runner Kanye West brazenly announcing to a shocked San Jose crowd ““I told y’all I didn’t vote, right? […]But if I would have voted, I would have voted for Trump.”
Fans that were at the concert claim that West went on several speeches throughout the course of the gig, claiming that Weat ‘loved’ Trump’s debate style, and how he forced racists to ‘reveal themselves’ suggesting that this was just ‘the beginning’. West’s comments about Trump will come as a surprise to some, given that he donated to Hilary Clinton’s campaign in 2015.
