We are disappointed to report that the famous Little Italy neighborhood wall mural located at the corner of Lyell Avenue and State St on the Flat Iron Building in downtown Rochester, NY, has been vandalized. The vandalism appears to have occurred on Friday July 15th in the early morning or overnight hours.

The initials "LL J" were painted on it with blue spray paint, appearing to signify the words "Long Live J" , as part of a make-shift memorial to an individual who recently died in the area after he ran his motorcycle into the wall. Also located near the wall mural is a temporary candle memorial in the individual's memory.

The wall mural cost over $2,000 and was paid for and installed in 2018 by the Little Italy Association of Rochester, Inc. and Fuse Creative on Lyell Aveena , to help beautify and revitalize the Lyell area, and to commemorate over 150 years of Italian American history and culture in the city of Rochester, NY. 

The mural gained international fame earlier this year when it was reproduced inside of an Italian restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, by a wealthy Russian Entrepeneur. 

Silvano Orsi (Founder of Rochester's Little Italy Neighborhood) : " I do not personllay believe that this is an incident related to any anti-Italianism or racial hate. It appears that someone made a poor decision, overcome by emotions and grief after the recent passing of their friend or relative. An RPD crime report was filed and with all the surveillance cameras in the area, they should not be hard to find.  The mural will be cleaned and fully restored in a few days. We hope folks will be more cognizant, respectful, and considerate of their actions and of what that important mural represents, in the future. Unfortunately, any beautification done in that troubled neighborhood, has little chance of surviving as long as it continues to be deliberately neglected by its residents, local businesses, and the city, county and state."