Tire marks run through the city's newly painted Black Lives Matter mural.

And for those who helped put it together, it unfortunately is not a surprise.

"Ever since the word got out that we were working to put this mural together, there has been a lot of reaction to that, a lot of negative reaction. There were threats of vandalism before we even did the mural. So, it was very disappointing," said Em Quiles, who helped organize the piece of art in front of the DCU Center.

She describes the mural as an outlet for people to express how the Black Lives Matter movement impacts them.​ And it's working.

"I think our community and the art community really wanted to make the statement that black lives matter in worcester, massachusetts. You know, good art is meant to alert the senses and spark a reaction. So, I'd say this art has accomplished that," Quiles said.

City Manager Ed Augustus says in a statement Friday: "Vandalism is not only destructive and illegal but in this circumstance, an act of intolerance and hostility. The BLM mural represents solidarity, resilience and creative expression, which the city of Worcester strongly supports.​"

Quiles says she doesn't expect the damage to be on the mural for long. 

Quiles said, "A lot of volunteers who care deeply about this mural are already throwing around ideas on how we can get together to fix it."

City Councilor Sean Rose says he too is upset with what happened to the mural, and it will be repaired. Worcester Police are investigating the situation. ​