This week, the Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that allows the city prosecutor to add a hate crime component to certain misdemeanor offenses. City Council Member Teresa Turk sponsored the measure after spray painted hate speech was used to deface a City Council candidate's campaign sign and a mural on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Arkansas is currently one of three state's without a state hate crime law.
Fayetteville City Council Passes Hate Crime Ordinance
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In early October, City Council Member Kyle Smith's campaign sign was also vandalized with hate speech.
Courtesy / Kyle Smith
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Local Artist Olivia Trimble painted this mural on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to cover the phrase "White Pride" that had been spray painted on the wall.
Courtesy / Olivia Trimble
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The phrase had been spray painted on the building in July.
Courtesy / Olivia Trimble
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Trimble's mural was subsequently vandalized and had to be repainted.
Courtesy / Olivia Trimble
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This phrase was also spray painted nearby. "14 Words" is a reference to the popular white supremacist slogan.
Courtesy / Olivia Trimble
