State College police have released photos of three persons of interest in the defacing of the Martin Luther King Jr. mural in downtown State College.
An insignia and the words “PATRIOTFRONT.US” were stenciled onto the mural in a red substance. It was reported Friday afternoon, and happened in the overnight hours that day.
In a statement released Monday, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, Downtown State College Improvement District, State College Borough and Pennsylvania State University denounced the vandalism “during a time of ongoing discord and violence in our country.”
“We are all disgusted to see a treasured local landmark, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, being defaced,” State College Council President Jesse Barlow said.
Mayor Ronald Filippelli called hate-based crimes “an epidemic” but said the community is united in the fight against such crimes.
Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the defacing of the MLK mural. It is being investigated as a hate crime.
