Vandals Splatter Carlos Santana Mural In San Francisco Mission District
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) - Vandals targeted the mural of legendary musician Carlos Santana in San Francisco's Mission District.
White paint was splattered all over Santana's face featured on the mural at 19th and Mission streets. The defacement was discovered Friday.
On Saturday, Mel Waters, the original artist behind the mural was at the site painting over the graffiti. San Francisco resident and Mission District historian Roberto Hernandez blames the graffiti on the current political climate, exacerbated by the President Trump's attitudes toward Latinos.
"It angers me to know that murals here in the Mission in San Francisco are sacred. Nobody touches murals, it's part of art, history, it tells stories," said Hernandez. "To see this white paint on the face of Carlos Santana, to me it's hate. And unfortunately, across this country today because of Trump and all the statements his administration has made toward Latinos, it's a reminder of the times we're going through."
Born in Mexico, Carlos Santana came to San Francisco's Mission district as a child and began his musical career here.
Hernandez says he spoke personally with the SFPD Mission station captain and was assured that investigators are looking for surveillance video for clues to help find a suspect. Police currently have no other physical evidence that points toward a motive or a suspect.