Crenshaw District residents demand answers after local mural defaced with swastikas

CRENSHAW DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Residents voiced their displeasure at a community meeting Friday in the Crenshaw District one week after a mural was defaced with swastikas.[br /][br /]City leaders, law enforcement and residents discussed a wide range of issues, but the main focus was the swastikas that were plastered on a local mural depicting four Black Panther movement leaders.[br /][Ads /][br /]The lead detective on the case said there is evidence, but they're looking for witnesses to help them solve this hate crime.[br /][br /][b][url HREF="https://abc7.com/crenshaw-district-mural-defaced-with-swastikas/4791669/" TARGET="" REL="nofollow"]RELATED: Crenshaw District mural depicting Black Panther movement figures is defaced with swastikas[/url][/b][br /][media ID="4791506[br /]" /][br /]"I do have video evidence of the immediate area around the wall where there is vehicle activity and pedestrian activity, and I can say with confidence that during that period, maybe a handful of people walked by," Det. Anthony Kong of the Los Angeles Police Department said.[br /][br /]The "Our Mighty Contribution" mural located on Crenshaw Boulevard and Westmont Avenue was created 18 years ago and had never been damaged before.[br /][br /]The artist behind the section of the wall that was defaced said the vandalism didn't last long.[br /][Ads /][br /]"I heard about it at 8:30, 9 in the morning, and I was there about 10:30, 11 to begin the restoration," Enkone, the artist of the mural, said.[br /][br /]Some community members believe the drawings were done by a hate group, emboldened by the current political climate.[br /][br /]"We have to self-protect. This is serious," Leimert Park resident Khalifa Bey said. "This is not just scribble. They have actually come down to our community and challenged us."[br /][br /]Police do not have any suspects at this point in the investigation.