"Leave the kids alone": WorldPride mural vandalised
A controversial mural in Sydney’s CBD has been vandalised with black paint in the midst of Sydney’s 2023 WorldPride festival.
The mural features Vladimir Putin wearing a teddy bear mask drinking a white Russian in bondage straps, located on York Street in Wynyard.
The topless man caused controversy as it was “kink and BDSM-inspired”.
Vandals painted over it, as well as writing “leave the kids alone”.
NSW Police said they were informed the paint was splashed over the mural around 9:30pm.
"Police attended the scene, seizing a number of items which have been taken for further examination," NSW Police said in a statement.
"About four hours later, police were called back to the scene after more paint was splashed onto the artwork.”
An investigation is underway, and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Day Street Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
An image of the mural prior to the vandalisation appeared on Reddit, and it received a lot of engagement.
The original poster captioned the photo, “As a gay guy, I’m disappointed in this advertisement. There’s kids everywhere, that would definitely traumatise me as a child … It’s for Mardi Gras, marketing fail in my opinion.”
“Yeah it's not really appropriate for kids.” Another said.
“It’s not appropriate, period.” Read another comment.
A video of the graffitied mural then appeared on TikTok, with most users seemingly happy it had been defaced.
“Not all heroes wear capes,” one user commented, referencing the vandals.
"Looks so much better." Another added.
The mural had been commissioned by YCK Laneways, which operates retail, hospitals and entertainment business in Sydney’s CBD.
The City of Sydney and WorldPrise organisers stated they did not commission the mural.
Image credit: Reddit/TikTok