{"id":140178,"date":"2026-01-27T20:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/140178\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T20:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:15:14","slug":"san-antonio-activists-plan-community-paint-day-to-heal-and-restore-vandalized-mural","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/140178\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio activists plan community paint day to ‘heal and restore’ vandalized mural"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Credit: Screenshot \/ Ananda Sunshine Tomas<\/p>\n

Social justice activists are calling on the community to help them restore the East Side\u2019s \u201cSay Their Names\u201d mural, which organizers say was vandalized as thousands attended last week\u2019s Martin Luther King Jr. March.<\/p>\n

The mural, which honors San Antonio victims of police brutality and their families, was defaced by an unknown person or group of people. <\/p>\n

Police accountability group Act4SA, which led the charge on commissioning the mural, is now leading the charge for its restoration. The organization\u2019s community paint day will take place noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Greater Faith Institutional Church, 3514 Martin Luther King Drive.<\/p>\n

Volunteers will repaint damaged sections of the mural and apply anti-graffiti coating in hopes of preventing further vandalization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a day to connect, organize and heal together,\u201d organizers said in event details shared with the Current. Volunteers are encouraged to RSVP<\/a> to attend.<\/p>\n

This is the first of several planned community paint days, according to group members. Saturday\u2019s gathering also serves as \u201can opportunity to find out how else you can plug into the movement for police accountability, ending mass incarceration, reimagining public safety, and standing up against racial injustice,\u201d according to its event listing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The mural is the creation of artist David Blancas, who\u00a0told the Current<\/a>\u00a0he undertook the project to raise awareness for San Antonio victims of police violence, including Melissa Perez, who was shot to death during a mental health episode.<\/p>\n

Those who can\u2019t stay to paint can also drop off supplies to aid in the cause, organizers add. The group also is accepting food and drinks for artists and volunteers, paint rollers and brushes of all sizes, hand warmers, water, paper cups, plates and paper towels, trash bags and other supplies. Step stools and ladders are also appreciated.<\/p>\n

Act4SA is also seeking monetary donations through its website<\/a> to fund the ongoing restoration.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\u2018Say\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAct4SA is raising money to restore the mural, according to organizers.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"New\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tArtist Ed Saavedra will hold four events highlighting local activists and personalities \u2014\u00a0and police-reform advocate Ananda Tomas is the first.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"New\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe mural was completed by Rudy Rodriguez, whose childhood friend Baltasar Rodriguez Jr. died while in police custody.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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