Attacks on the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center

Archive note: This post appeared on November 1, 2007, on the site’s blog (then Thuglove.de / United-Tupac.Com). It relayed a statement from the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) about attacks on its arts center.

A Noose Around the Bronze Statue

In Stone Mountain, Georgia, east of Atlanta, Afeni Shakur had built a place for arts and education. Her foundation offered young people classes in acting, dance, singing, and creative writing; since 2005, a “Peace Garden” featuring a bronze statue on the grounds had commemorated Tupac. In October 2007, however, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts became the target of a series of attacks.

According to the foundation, the series began in the early morning hours of October 20, 2007: unidentified perpetrators defaced the building and placed a noose around the statue’s neck. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident as a hate crime. During the night leading into the following Monday, the statue was damaged further; a man was arrested. Rambling flyers were also stuck to the statue, containing references to September 11 and Hurricane Katrina along with threats against record companies and rappers.

Afeni Shakur responded in a spirit of reconciliation. Her statement noted that hearts were temporarily wounded, but the spirit had already forgiven the perpetrators.

Rededication Instead of the End of Repairs

At the time, the old post reported that repairs would last until November 10, 2007. That was inaccurate: in fact, a rededication of the Peace Garden had been scheduled for that day, combined with a film screening. At the same time, the foundation was collecting donations for a fence around the grounds.

Sale for $1.2 Million

The center continued to operate for several years after the incidents. In August 2015, Afeni Shakur sold the property for $1.2 million, and the center closed. Afeni Shakur died on May 2, 2016, at the age of 69.