MLK Day vandalism targets mural honoring people killed by police on east side

The “Say Their Names” mural, located along Martin Luther King Drive near the start of the city’s annual MLK march route, was found defaced with black spray paint.

SAN ANTONIO — A mural honoring people activists say died at the hands of law enforcement in San Antonio was vandalized Monday, an act advocates are calling hateful and painful – especially because it happened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The “Say Their Names” mural, located along Martin Luther King Drive near the start of the city’s annual MLK march route, was found defaced with black spray paint covering several of the faces depicted. The mural, situated adjacent to artwork honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was unveiled last March.

Fourteen individuals are memorialized on the wall, including Emmanuel Mora. He died in 2024 while being booked into the Bexar County Jail. His daughter, Faith Mora, said seeing the damage was deeply disappointing.

“To have it be messed up like this is just disappointing,” Mora said. “If you don’t speak out about it, it’s going to keep happening.”

Ananda Tomas, executive director of ACT 4 SA, said she learned of the vandalism Monday afternoon. Her organization helped fund the mural, which she said serves both as a memorial and a reminder that police accountability remains a pressing issue.

“This to me seems like blatant racism,” Tomas said. “It’s very sad that it had to happen on MLK Day.”

Tomas said the damage was emotional for the families whose loved ones are honored on the wall.

“It’s a lot of deep hurt,” she said. “I definitely shed some tears because I know how important this is for the families – to have their loved ones remembered and to remind folks this is still a very real issue we have to address.”

Despite the vandalism, Tomas said the organization remains focused on moving forward. The mural’s artist visited the site Monday afternoon to begin planning repairs.

“We have to stand up when we are facing bigotry, racism, and hatred,” Tomas said. “We are going to repaint this, and we are going to repaint this even better.”

ACT 4 SA is raising money to restore the mural and plans to add a graffiti-resistant protective coating. Tomas said repairs are expected to cost about $5,000. Those who want to help can donate through ACT 4 SA’s fundraising page.

Tomas also had a message for the person or people responsible.

“I hope they seriously take steps to think about what they’ve done and how they’ve hurt families who are still fighting for justice,” she said.

KENS 5 reached out to the San Antonio Police Department to ask whether the vandalism is under investigation but had not received a response as of Monday night.