TUPAC SHAKUR - SHAKUR STATUE VANDALISED

A statue of slain rapper TUPAC SHAKUR has been vandalised in Georgia. Vandals defaced the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, and tied a noose around the neck of the bronze statue on Saturday morning (20Oct07). Tupac's mother Afeni branded the perpetrators "ignorant". She tells Allhiphop.com, "We thank everyone for their prayers and support. Although our hearts are temporarily in pain, our spirits have already forgiven the perpetrators. "Hate comes in all colours and genders therefore we will use this act of hate and ignorance to bring our community together and to pray for the healing of those who harbour such feelings." The attacks are being investigated as hate crimes by the De Kalb County Sheriff's Office. One person has been arrested. Shakur was shot dead in Las Vegas in September 1996.