Vanessa Bryant Reveals Kobe & Gianna Murals Were ‘Untouched’ In L.A. Amidst Protests

Protestors have taken over L.A. to demand justice after George Floyd's death, but they've all made sure that murals of Kobe and Gianna Bryant throughout the city have not been ruined.

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June 2, 2020 9:14AM EDT
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Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Gianna Bryant and Natalia Bryant 'A Wrinkle in Time' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 26 Feb 2018
Gianna Bryant sits on the shoulders of her father, Kobe Bryant, as they attend the women's soccer match between the United States and China, in San DiegoChina USA Women soccer, San Diego, USA
The retirement of the Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24 jerseys was held Monday December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California during half time of the game between with the Golden State Warriors. Kobe Bryant with his family (L-R) Gianna Maria-Onore, wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant holding Bianka Bella and Natalia Diamante. 18 Dec 2017 Pictured: The retirement of the Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24 jerseys was held Monday December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California during half time of the game between with the Golden State Warriors. Kobe Bryant with his family (L-R) Gianna Maria-Onore, wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant holding Bianka Bella and Natalia Diamante. Photo credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA135063_001.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]

The city of Los Angeles now has several murals of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant, following their deaths in a helicopter crash in January. These murals have managed to escape damage amidst the protests for George Floyd that have been going on in the city for the last several days. Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, took to Instagram on June 1 to share her appreciation for the fact that the murals have gone ‘untouched.’

Vanessa –who is now raising her and Kobe’s other three daughters, Natalie, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 11 months, on her own — posted various photos of Kobe murals from all over L.A. “Kobe and Gigi mural saved,” she captioned one post. On another, she wrote, “Untouched Kobe mural.” She also re-posted one fans picture of a mural with a caption that read, “They know Kobe is off limits.”

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Of course, while Vanessa is thankful that her late husband and daughter continue to hold a special place in Los Angeles, she’s also in full support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been vocal about that on social media, as well. On May 31, she posted a photo of Kobe from 2014, where he’s wearing an ‘I Can’t Breathe’ shirt in reference to another black man, Eric Garner, being killed by a white police officer.

“Life is so unpredictable,” she captioned the post. “Life is too short. Let’s share and embrace the beautiful qualities and similarities we all share as people. Drive out hate. Teach respect and love for all at home and school. Spread LOVE. Fight for change — register to vote.” She concluded her message with the Black Lives Matter hashtag and a red heart emoji.

Vanessa’s post was meant to point out that so little has changed for the black community in the six years since Eric Garner’s death. Like Eric, George was also killed by a white police officer. The 46-year-old was arrested in Minneapolis on May 25, and when officer Derek Chauvin handcuffed him, he pinned him to the ground by the neck. Despite George insisting that he couldn’t breathe, Derek kept his knee held against George’s neck for more than eight minutes. Officer Chauvin was eventually arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.