HOUSTON — Houston authorities and community members on Wednesday reported new vandalism that defaced a public mural honoring Nobel Peace Prize laureate and girls’ education advocate Malala Yousafzai near the Heights neighborhood.
Unknown individuals splashed white paint over Yousafzai’s face and upper body on the mural, which depicts her as a global advocate for women’s and girls’ access to education. Residents who discovered the damage reported it to city officials and local arts advocates.
Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin announced she would allocate funding from her council office budget to restore the mural. Kamin said she plans to coordinate with the original artists and local arts organizations to carry out the restoration.
City staff began assessing the extent of the damage to determine the materials, labor, and timeline needed for repairs. Officials noted that the mural has been vandalized in previous incidents.
City officials said they are reviewing options to improve lighting, surveillance, or other protective measures at the site to prevent future vandalism.
Houston police received reports of the incident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the defacement. Officers are gathering information from the area, including potential witness accounts and available security footage.
