LULAC to Restore Vanessa Guillen Mural After Graffiti Vandalism
The second piece of art will honor Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide after being sexually assaulted, bullied, and harassed by fellow sailors in 2018.
The LULAC organization aims to honor and remember soldiers who lost their lives.
This comes after graffiti was found on the back of Vanessa Guillen’s mural in Killeen.
LULAC plans to restore the mural by adding a powerful second piece of art on the backside to honor Brandon Caserta, who served in the U.S. Navy.
He died by suicide after being sexually assaulted and facing bullying and harassment from sailors in 2018, according to LULAC.
The Brandon Act was introduced into legislation following his death.
Both the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act and The Brandon Act were signed into law by the president on December 27, 2021.
These acts brought the largest reform in the military since the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell legislation.
“Four years ago, we were out here advocating for Vanessa Guillen,” said AnaLuisa Carrillo-Tapia, LULAC District Director.
“We have her on one side. Every day every service member leaves, they see her. She is accounted for now.
On this side, we have graffiti, and that’s something we don’t want to tolerate. We care about our soldiers, our service members, our community is intact.”
LULAC told 6 News they hope to complete the new mural by June 25, the anniversary of Caserta’s death. They need funds to do so and are asking for the community’s help.
There is an active GoFundMe with their mission and plans.
The GoFundMe says:
Adding the Brandon Caserta mural will complement the Vanessa Guillen mural and its mission.
Together, they will remind all active duty who visit Fort Cavazos daily to remember their battle buddies who served and were overcome by the battle within.
They will remind them that they can demand The Brandon Act to receive mental health help without fear of retaliation and that we will never leave any of them behind.
These enhancements will demonstrate our continued commitment to the pursuit of justice in the name of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and AE3 Brandon Caserta.”
