Brooklyn Is Uniting To Stand Up Against Hate After Swastikas Painted At MCA’s Park

When a Brooklyn, New York park was named in the honor of Beastie Boys co-founder Adam “MCA” Yauch, it was an apparent act of love and respect. Yesterday (November 18), that same space—Adam Yauch Park was vandalized in the name of hate. Culprits defaced the property with antisemitic painting, including Nazi swastikas. The same vandalism also included political propaganda, with messages also saying “Go Trump!”

One park goer, Karen Wang, posted photos of the vandalism online:

Yauch, who was the son of Jewish parents, died in 2012 from cancer. Joining Mike D and Ad-Rock, the Beastie Boys were a Jewish Hip-Hop/Punk Rock act when introduced in the mid-1980s. By the 1990s, several members of the group also promoted Buddhism, and strongly devoted themselves to causes including the freedom of Tibet.

This DJ’s Dedication To Jam Master Jay & MCA Rocks To The Heavens (Mix)

In response to the hate acts, a rally is scheduled to take place at the Brooklyn Heights park formerly known as Palmetto. Ad-Rock and Mike D released a Beastie statement to those promoting hate in a symbolic place:

With the announcement, an anti-hate rally will take place tomorrow (November 20) in the park at 11:30am EST. All in agreement that hate has no place in this country—and world, are welcomed. New York state senator Daniel Squadron, congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and city council members Stephen Levin and Brad Lander will lead the effort. The mayor’s office also tweeted support of Yauch’s efforts for peace, and condemned the vandalism.

The Beastie Boys & Nas Unearth A 5 Year-Old Visual That Hasn’t Aged A Day (Video)

The same party responsible for “MCA Day” in the park, shared some powerful song lyrics by the New York MC and musician on their Facebook page. “Knowing love can conquer hate in every situation / We need other people in order to create / The circumstances for the learning that we’re here to generate / Situations that bring up our deepest fears / So we can work to release them until they’re cleared / Therefore, it only makes sense / To thank our enemies despite their intent,” MCA said on 1994 Ill Communication track “Bodhisattva Vow.”

The Beasties’ diamond-certified Licensed To Ill debut album celebrated its 30th anniversary this past week.