Officials with the Philbrook Museum of Art says one of their midtown billboards highlighting their Islamic art exhibition was vandalized.
“One of the billboards for our exhibition of Islamic Art was recently vandalized. The billboard will be replaced as soon as possible. We could not be more proud to present this show and we will not be deterred by any form of intolerance in our community.” See full statement: pic.twitter.com/KGzIeoy4Nf
— Philbrook Museum of Art (@Philbrook) July 10, 2019
In a picture posted to Twitter, someone spray painted 'home grown terror' on the sign.
In a statement posted to their social media pages, museum officials say that they will not be deterred by any form of intolerance.
“One of the billboards for our exhibition of Islamic Art was recently vandalized," said Philbrook Director Scott Stulen. "The billboard will be replaced as soon as possible. We could not be more proud to present this show and we will not be deterred by any form of intolerance in our community. We believe strongly that museums are for everyone. We can’t just say that or have it in the mission statement on our website, we must show this commitment to inclusion through the exhibitions we present and the programs we create. And a quick note to the vandal(s): we hope you see the show. You’re welcome any time. Free admission this Saturday."
The Geico billboard was also defaced with the same words.
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement that they condemn the Islamophobic graffiti and hope the vandal will be brought to justice and charged with a hate crime if appropriate.
“We are saddened and frustrated to see that Islamophobia has touched something as beautiful as Philbrook’s efforts to showcase the diversity, beauty and artistic creation of the Islamic world,” said CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure. “Philbrook’s exhibition shows now, more than ever, the importance of our understanding and appreciation of the Muslim community, both here and abroad. We also hope that this act of vandalism will be fully investigated, that the perpetrator be brought to justice, and that, if appropriate, hate crime charges will be brought against the vandals who attempt to sow more division and hatred in our communities.”
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