The words ‘change the date’ and ‘no pride in genocide’ have been spray-painted on the statue of Captain CookThree statues in Sydney’s Hyde Park – including one of Captain Cook – have been attacked by vandals following days of fierce public debate about whether they should be changed. Police are investigating “a number of incidents of malicious damage” in the park, believed to have happened between 2am and 3am on Saturday. “Three crime scenes have been established throughout the park and inquiries are continuing,” a spokeswoman said. The words “change the date” and “no pride in genocide” were spray-painted on the Captain Cook statue, and similar words were scrawled on that of Lachlan Macquarie. “Sites affected include the Archibald Memorial Fountain, ANZAC Memorial and statues including the Captain James Cook statue,” she said.

Source: The Guardian August 26, 2017 00:15 UTC