The vandalism was covered by a coat of light blue paint (Image: CHS)

The community responded quickly to cover some of the damage. City Hall says it will help restore the neighborhood art after the Central District mural of the slain civil rights leader at MLK Way and E Cherry was defaced headed into Monday’s holiday.

Mayor Bruce Harrell says the city will offer its help in restoring the MLK mural after someone vandalized the artwork on the outside of the building home to Fat’s Chicken and Waffles.

“This act of vandalism is completely unacceptable and violates the core values of our city,” Harrell said. “My team will work with Office of Arts and Culture Seattle and property owner to help restore this mural. We will not let inflammatory actions derail our vision for a welcoming Seattle.”

The 1924-built restaurant building has been owned for decades by the family behind Seattle’s Cederstrand Rentals real estate and property management company.

Monday’s MLK remembrances in Seattle included a rally at Garfield High School and a march of hundreds to City Hall with messages of support for education, essential workers, and voting rights.

The corner back in the day (Image: Catfish Corner)

The MLK mural was overhauled in 2015 with the opening of Fat’s in the building that had been the longtime home of Catfish Corner. Artist James Crespinel cleaned up his popular work showing Martin Luther King, Jr. in thought and his words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

Last year, Terrell Jackson — grandson of original Catfish Corner founders Woodrow and Rosemary Jackson — brought the family business back to the Central District with Jackson’s Catfish Corner opening at 23rd and Jackson.

Central Seattle, meanwhile, also added another MLK mural in 2017 with a giant painting honoring the civil rights leader facing the First African Methodist Episcopal Church parking lot at 14th and Madison.

Harrell is a Garfield High grad who centered his campaign around growing up in the Central District. He attended Monday’s rally and march, the first time Seattle’s mayor has participated since 2019.

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