2005 Gun Violence Victim Tribute Vandalized-TIPS
1800222TIPS
2 min 49 sec – Jun 19, 2007

The Peace Mural at 1143 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada was made in 2006 by youth artists working in the Harbourfront Community Centre Mural Project. Five youth artists worked with an artist coordinator to design the concept in conjunction with local businesses, the local BIA, local high school, and police. The mural is dedicated to the 52 victims of gun violence in Toronto in 2005. Over the weekend of June 2-3, 2007 unknown vandals vandalized the mural, covering over images of major international peace builders like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John Lennon, a remembrance to female gun violence victims of the Montreal Massacre, and the first names of all 52 gun violence victims in the city of Toronto in 2005. Toronto Police are actively investigating this damage, and are seeking tips to identify the vandals. The investigating officer is Constable Shane Rolland of 14 Division. He can be contacted directly at 416-808-1500. Anonymous tips can be called into Toronto Crime Stoppers nationally at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), locally in Toronto at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com. Comments left on this YouTube video are open for public viewing. The Toronto Crime Stoppers School Officer has reached out to the graffiti community in Toronto, and coordinated many projects like this for legal opportunities that build community and create trust between youth, their fellow community members and the police. Damage to murals in this manner hurts many people, and will not be tolerated by our community. A recent video of the efforts of police to reach out to help youth artists can be viewed at http://www.rogerstelevision.com/option.asp?rid=17&lid=16&tid=19728

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