The City of Coral Gables has now been targeted twice by vandalism in relations to the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Last night, the historic Coral Gables Alhambra Water Tower was spray painted with messages of “Coral Gables Is Complicit” and “White Comfort<Black Lives”.
This comes after vandals painted messages on benches at Fewell Park on Coral Way last week.
“On today’s date, an officer responded to 2000 Alhambra Circle and found the Alhambra Water Tower vandalized with graffiti during the overnight hours. This case is currently being investigated by the Coral Gables Police Department. We are asking for anyone that lives in the area to check their surveillance cameras and/or Ring cameras and send any video related to this crime to the police department.” said Kelly Denham, Community Affairs/PIO for the Coral Gables Police Department.
City staff acted immediately and the spray painting was washed off by 11:00AM this morning.
*Images of vandalism sent to City by residents.
More unrest to our neighborhood. These so call protestors coming back to hunt us! they will be in marching thru our street, it is organize so they create as much destruction as possible! I would like all of you protectors of protesters to meet them and CONVERSE with you are at it! Bring them coffee and lemonade and then “KNEEL” with them! We the residents of Coral Gables must jump thru all kinds of hoops just to have a simple street get together! WE pay all those taxes so this happen in our streets? NO! If Valdes Fauli is so fond of them? of Karen Bass, and the group, he can meet them personally at his own home! no joda!
According to the Miami Herald these comments can be attributed to Coral Gables mayor defending short list candidate Karen Bass for Vice President ticket with Joe Biden. Marco Rubio was critical of the choice due to her involvement with the Venceremos Brigade in Cuba as early as 1973. She stated her interest had to do with being a “a Black activist who was deeply concerned about what the activists are raising today: systemic racism.”
Sounds familiar ?
Miami Herald states, ‘Shortly after Rubio’s remarks, Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli, who was born in Cuba, defended Bass and backed her for vice president. “
“Like all communities, Cuban-Americans are not monolithic,” Valdés-Fauli said in a statement. “Having spoken to Karen, I can attest to her commitment to democracy. And having spent my entire life in service to my community in Florida, I know that they will embrace her when they have the opportunity to get to know her as I have. As someone who serves on Biden’s Mayor’s Committee, I believe the Biden-Bass ticket will win Florida Together, Joe Biden and Karen Bass have the best governing experience to heal our nation, rebuild our economy, and restore America’s standing in the world.”
Concerning?
Everyone needs to get on the same page or at least closer to it. Whatever group, creed, race, religion political party or even sex we hold ourselves out to be… America is about being United. We are allowing ourselves to be manipulated by fear by list of possible groups (insert here). My family escaped Europe during the Marxist era, many of our Hispanic neighbors and friends escaped communism in various countries, our Haitian community escaped corruption and extreme poverty. And our friends who came on the Mayflower came her to escape a Monarchy. So let’s remember that We Are All In This Together (WAITT) phrase and not allow ourselves to be divided by politics, media or opinions that differ from ours. Yes, this is graffiti, yes it is illegal, but let’s not alarm our community. We are not under attack but we are if you think we are. Let’s think with our hearts not our scared minds. Let’s save America not our egos, our identities, our elitist positions in life that mean nothing without what we all came here for Freedom! So, put let us put our energies on that!
It’s essential to look a issues from every perspective. As a white person, I try to understand the BLM movement to the best of my ability. What happened to George Floyd must be condemned by every member of a civilized society and Derek Chauvin’s depraved, abhorrent, and criminal behavior must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A society where any parent has to warn a child about the manner in which the police might discriminate or brutalize him or her is reprehensible and shameful. Every legal and educational measure must be taken to ensure that every member of society is treated equally and is safe under the law; no one should live in fear of the very people who are entrusted protect them.Having said that, there is no place for anarchy in our cities. Our Constitutional rights must be respected. Bernell Trammell should not be slaughtered for supporting Donald Trump; his life mattered too. I have great appreciation for our police department; blue lives matter too. I do not want to see the situation in Portland brought to Coral Gables. It must be stopped at its inception regardless of the race, gender and ethnicity of the perpetrators.
I think we miss the point when we say “and I bet it’s the fourteen year old”. Does it really matter if it was a fourteen year old, or a thirty year old ( that type of thinking is in line with racist thinking, it’s called agism).Aren’t you more concerned that a fourteen year old is spewing this type of hate in a form of a crime ? If it was a fourteen year old, who influenced them, and why did they do it ? I think insinuating that a fourteen year old having done this is somehow less concerning is ludicrous. We should be concerned, that fourteen year olds are running around destroying property in our city . I’ve been living in Coral Gables a long time and have no recollection of past graffiti on public monuments by any age group . So yes you should be more concerned that our fourteen year olds are being indoctrinated and brain washed by this hateful, Marxist, group of THUGS! Shame on their parents for not educating them, and showing them the difference between right and wrong, truth and lies , good and bad. The reason this Country is in the state it’s in, is not because there’s racial undertones in our posts ! It’s because those of us who understand that our future and freedoms are in jeopardy are outraged by those who do not see the reality of the situation, and their complicit role in allowing the destruction of our society and Cities. There was a time that we could have an educated conversation, but those days are gone because we can’t agree on the truth, even when it’s clear. Our Nation has grown and evolved by fixing our imperfections .The alleged “fourteen year old” that denigrated the water tower wants revolution, not evolution. Those who feel that’s ok, you have that right (maybe not for long). Wake up !
I do not agree with what is written in these benches or in the water tower. Whoever did this (white, black, hispanic, male or female and of whatever age) needs to be held accountable for. This is not spreading a message, this is vandalism. If they wanted to spread the message they could have sent a local news Chanel a story with facts on why the person believes Coral Gables rushers “white comfort” over “black lives”. Truly, many people like me think that this is not a racial issue (primarily), instead it is a class issue (top tier vs. lower tier). Either way I hope and pray that there is no more vandalizing to peaceful, quiet and nice city of Coral Gables.
Alicia Garza, one of three co-founders of the Black Lives Matter national organization, has
repeatedly talked about how convicted cop killer and wanted domestic terrorist Joanne
Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, is one of her main inspirations. Susan
Rosenberg, a member of the board of directors for the left-wing Thousand Currents group,
which handles the intake of donations made to Black Lives Matter, is a convicted
terrorist who, among other things, was suspected of helping Shakur escape from prison.
Their proposed reformation of the police in Philadelphia is a carbon copy of the
block security system used in Cuba, which results in total repression of free
speech, imprisonment, & death in many cases. Rosenberg was pardoned by B Clinton in 2001 after serving 16 yrs of 58 yr sentence. Shakur remains in Cuba with a $1M bounty on her head.
And now, to top it off, students at UM are demanding the administration remove the Merrick name from campus buildings. This is all part of a coordinated Marxist effort.
This is what you propitiate when our elected officials and chief of police kowtow to a special interest group. Appeasement begets more extreme demands. Is the City going to remove the Merrick statue from City Hall? Will the Chief take two knees this time? Are our officials going to end up on all four? Toughen up and protect our common values.
No one saw this on the Alhambra Speedway ??? (Or Alahambra as a street sign feet away says)
Vandalism is vandalism and shouldn’t be condoned. On CG being complicit, let’s talk history. In 1937, George Merrick, the head of the Dade Planning Board and founder of the City of Coral Gables, proposed the complete removal and relocation of all black residents outside of Miami’s city limits. I own a house in the Gables built in 1925 and original deed restrictions prohibit blacks. You may think that’s not relevant, but the demographics of the city today still reflect that.
A lot of racist undertones in these comments, and you wonder why the country is in the state it is. Hopefully CGPD can get to the bottom of this, but until then, think long and hard about your own roles when you use language like “thugs” and “Marxist,” and blame an entire organization for the acts of a few, who may or may not be associated with that organization.
Why does BLM assume there are no black citizens living in Coral Gables?? Isn’t that the epitome of Racism right there?
They managed to use and obey all they latest mainstream media key words.. “white supremacy” “BLM” “repatriation” “complicit” white against black. Not one original thought in the entire rant. Where have our critical thinkers gone? BLM group. Trump hater Group. Everyone is falling right in line, choose your group just make sure it’s the group they created for you.
BLM movement in Coral Gables???
Please wait for police investigation to attribute acts of vandalism to BLM movement in a predominantly white/hispanic neighborhood 🙄
I agree with Marcelo. It could be anyone, and I bet it’s the 14 year old.
This is vandalism – plain and simple. I am tired of people trying to justify destruction of property. I hope that Coral Gables does not go the way of Portland, Seattle, NYC and other places that are allowing (and encouraging) lawlessness.
Whoever blames it on the movement and I mean the BLM movement that has its good purpose its right purpose , must be aware that white supremacy groups are doing this to cause trouble
Or like some say , gangs too or just kids or …
I agree w Elayne Norweb
Gables Insider SHOULDNT Be posting this 🙁
Unless they know by fact who is doing it ! What’s their real purpose ?
The BLM was quite clear on the watertower. I am in agreement that those “who took a knee” should resign or be fired. Ask Poland what they thought of Chamberlain’s appeasement offer. We all know how well that went. Since the goal of Marxists and communists and thus the BLM, is destruction of the American way of life, and do away with private property it seems to me that those with a lot to lose are the very concerned citizens over an “erroneous” association with BLM whose message is clear on the watertower and park benches. Won’t be long for CG to take on the look of downtown Portland or Seattle, especially with the kneeling law enforcement! It is immaterial what group or person did this defacing. Arrest them, charge them, sentence them. Send a strong message to the lemmings out there.
I am black. I have been living in Coral Gables for 16 years and I’ve never felt descrimination. These terror attacks on our city’s historical monuments are wrongly directed and criminal.
BLM is a marxist movement that has nothing to do about actual black lives. Whoever did this needs to be sent to jail and pay in full for the damage. These BLM activists just want misery for everyone while destroying what hard working people have fought for because they are sad unaccomplished losers who just want to play victim, instead of waking up early and working hard like the rest of us. They are sad. We will NEVER support BLM and we will ALWAYS support the police. They won’t brainwash us. NOPE.
You give these thugs an inch they’ll take over the City . I truly hope that our courageous police department and City officials address this issue before it escalates. It’s incredible to see what I assume are adults, call this anything but a crime. We all have rights in this country but we do not have right to excuse crime in any form. Uninformed, ignorant, bystanders that have no idea how quickly our freedoms can be taken from us try to find an excuse for this type of behavior. I think those of us who have suffered communism, have fled our native homeland, and understand what is at stake, need to speak up . Those of you who continue to accept this behavior for anything else than what it is,a crime, need to wake up.
Robert Burr. You don’t erase history, you learned from it.
It is clear that BLM is not for blacks but a marxist movement that want o destroy our way of life. Social media is brainwashing our young ones
PEACEFUL PROTESTING IS PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION. DESECRATION OR DESTRUCTION OF A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY IS NOT. THE ALHAMBRA WATER TOWER IS A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES AND A DESIGNATED LOCAL LANDMARK. THE DAMAGE IS OVER $100 AND ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE BELOW, “if the damage exceeds $100, the defendant is subject to a fine of up to $250,000, ten years imprisonment, or both. See Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-322, § 330016, 108 Stat. 1796, 2146-47 (1994).”
1666. DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY — 18 U.S.C. § 1361
Section 1361 protects “any property” of the United States or an agency or department thereof, or any property being manufactured or constructed for the United States or an agency or department thereof, from willful depredation or attempted depredation. “Depredation” has been characterized as the act of plundering, robbing, pillaging or laying waste. United States v. Jenkins, 554 F.2d 783, 786 (6th Cir. 1977); cf. Deal v. United States, 274 U.S. 277, 283 (1927) (“depredation” defined in context of postal statute). This section prohibits actual physical damage or destruction of both real and personal property, but mere adverse possession of that property without physical harm is insufficient to violate the law. United States v. Jenkins, supra, 554 F.2d at 785. Section 1361 is a specific intent crime, see United States v. Jones, 607 F.2d 269, 273-74 (9th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1085 (1980), and the government must prove that the defendant acted willfully; that is intentionally, with knowledge that he/she is violating a law. United States v. Simpson, 460 F.2d 515, 518 (9th Cir. 1972); United States v. Moylan, 417 F.2d 1002, 1004 (4th Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 910 (1970). The government is not required to prove that defendant knew the property belonged to the government, because government ownership is “merely a ‘jurisdictional fact’.” United States v. LaPorta, 46 F.3d 152, 158 (2d Cir. 1994), quoting United States v. Feola, 420 U.S. 671 (1975). In fact, title or possession by the United States is not a necessary element of this offense, if the property in question was being made for the United States. The government must present evidence establishing value of damage. United States v. Seaman, 18 F.3d 649, 651 (9th Cir. 1994). The penalties for violations of this section are tied to the extent of the property damage. As amended on September 13, 1994, if the damage exceeds $100, the defendant is subject to a fine of up to $250,000, ten years imprisonment, or both. See Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-322, § 330016, 108 Stat. 1796, 2146-47 (1994). When property damage does not exceed $100, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100,000, one year imprisonment, or both. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559(a), 3571.
How convenient…
I love LUCY! That’s exactly what I was thinking!
Wake Up Americans…BLM is not focused on Black Lives…the organization is controlled by two Black females that are “AVOWD MARXIST-LENINIST”…WAKE UP and google BLM…check the co-chairmen….their aim is to put our American Way into turmoil !
BLM is Communistic…acting as social equalizers
If I were a betting individual I would venture to say these are some “white” bored teens with zero identity of their own, trying to make a statement. They may even be your neighbors kids…Just sayin’…No school and nothing to do.
Honestly, these days, it could be anyone. It could be an activist in favor of BLM; it could be a white supremacist seeking to have a “revenge” against BLM; it could be cops in a negotiating tactic; it could be a stupid 14 year old seeing to attract attention or trying to feel macho. Unless there is video and the person can be caught, it really could be anyone.
Can someone familiar with someone in the BLM organization forward this to them so they can condemn these actions to assure us that they are not complicit in these or any of the other similar acts in the country the last few months?
It was a matter of time before our City was considered a target. Envy is their creed and violence and destruction their methods. The kneeling by our police officers and our politicians did absolutely nothing to appease them. It’s time to step up to the plate, stop kneeling and protect our City. I think we as residents deserve that in light of all the taxes we pay!
This looks suspect. I’m assuming the police are actively checking with residents around the tower who have cameras to see what they can dig up. Could be the work of a troublemaker. Let’s verify.
Those condemning “ the offensive title of this article “or by our “ city’s history of treating minorities as less than equal “ or “ our racist society, when did it become ok to damage or deface property with a political message? I strongly suggest we as a community find the responsible individuals and prosecute to the full extent of the law. This is not to be accepted as the new norm.
This is not a matter of minority or not minority; BLM or not BLM. Graffiti and vandalism are illegal. Thus, people who do illegal actions in Coral Gables should be arrested. The law is the law for all citizens of Coral Gables and America. The moment the law is only applicable to some people, we lose our democratic system. In a democracy the law applies equally to all people. Otherwise we put ourselves in a position where civil disobedience reigns.
As a long-term citizen of Coral Gables, I expect our government and our police force to enforce the law equally for all. We choose to live in Coral Gables because we want law and order. I suggest that we have more police patrolling in the evenings to prevent vandalism and illegal activities. Unless we address this quickly our city will devolve and become just like Portland and Seattle.
I believe there is no systemic racism in Coral Gables. Anyone who says otherwise needs to show proof. What happened to the Water Tower is vandalism, pure and simple. People of all colors and nationalities live in Coral Gables. We have many black millionaires who choose to call Coral Gables home. What exactly is the problem here? Are people going back to the 1920s to try to find instances of racism? Well we have come a long way since then. Stop trying to start something where nothing exists!
If one wishes to protest or “petition for a redress of grievances”, that is constitutionally protected speech so long as the reasonable restrictions as to time and place are followed. Vandalism and criminality are not, as we are experiencing in Portland, Seattle, etc., and now, sadly, to a much lesser degree in Coral Gables. Our city has made great progress over the decades and that alone stands as a refutation of the ‘silence’ and ‘complicity’ allegations which are glaringly false. Wash off the graffiti – regardless of the source – and carry on
I think in a time of civil unrest we need to question things and while we are trained that if it is written it must be so. I think even journalism, vandalism and all of the ism’s have to be examined. Targeted is a strong word? And also, there is no proof that the people who are a part of the BLM movement actually did the graffiti. It could be the copy cat affect, a long time propaganda method used to create fear!
I am offended by the title of this article. Unless the leaders of the Black Lives Matter organization take responsibility for the act, don’t associate it with the movement.
This is truly irresponsible reporting.
The problem is not a protest seeking to save the lives of black Americans, it’s the systemic racism that’s killing those black Americans. Headlining your story with “BLM Vandalism” is not a value-neutral decision. It’s an editorial choice used to imply protesters advocating for the lives of black Americans are somehow to blame for the racist society that makes these protests necessary.
Please direct your “faulty” eyes to the front/right side and you should clearly see BLM on the wall!!!!
You waste our time with your nonsense!
It’s sad and disturbing, but so is our city’s history of treating minorities as less than equal. Perhaps its time for the city to issue a declaration clearly rejecting the former policies of separate facilities for blacks and the discouragement of Jews from buying property in the city. We’re well beyond these discriminatory practices, no doubt, but has there ever been an official statement rebuking these ways of yesteryear well documented in the history of Coral Gables? Certainly, the issue cannot be ignored.
I echo Ms. Norweb’s comment. The act of one or a few who do not profess to be agents of BLM is just that — their acts, not BLM’s. Outrageous and sophomoric all the same! We are blessed in this country with many rights of free expression that may be displayed and expressed openly without damaging property or doing harm to others. If the message is not properly received, with sufficient facts and evidence to back the message — there is little if anything over which one might be introspective.
So much for taking a knee by the City of Coral Gables, Florida police department. Taking a knee with these BLM thugs is disgraceful and totally wrong. The mayor, commissioners and police chief should resign in disgrace, or be voted out of office or be fired. Giving into BLM is wrong anyway you look at it.
So is this More work by White Nationalists attempting to cast a shadow on BLM ?
Who writes this No-Proof of anything Malarkey anyway ? Another Racist ?
Who is the problem here ? Hopefully, somebody’s video will appear.
Or –
Maybe it’s some Older Gables Resident,
that still remembers the Segregated Bathrooms at Sears.
Horrific and unacceptable. Coral Gables residents do not go around vandalizing other neighborhoods!!! People have lost respect for property that is not theirs!!
Is this hitting home yet? This is not another City far away. This is the Gables. It is time to take your silent heads out of the sand and push back.
Protesting is a given right in the USA, riots and destruction is not.
While I find this vandalism completely wrong and do not support it in any way. I do not see Black Lives Matter written anywhere. Journalism is about reporting facts and not assigning blame. I find this article unethical and should be reissued with facts only.
Disgraceful!!!
I thought we were Still under a curfew. No one saw this?
So the reaction of the city was simply to erase and get rid of the message? There was no attempt to introspect and wonder if there was any basis to the comments?