'Just Stop It:' New York Giant Victimized By Vandals Calls For End To Oppression, Racism
MOONACHIE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The home of a New York Giants football player was vandalized by burglars who left hateful symbols and words on the walls.
CBS2 had an exclusive interview with Nikita Whitlock on Wednesday night. As CBS2's Steve Overmyer reported, he walked cameras through his vandalized home.
He and his wife put sheets on the walls so their 6-year-old son didn't have to see the racist images.
"I'm sad. More for them though to have that level of hate. For someone to break into a house and draw something on the wall, it makes no sense to me," he said.
The Whitlocks were only away from the house for a few hours Tuesday night, when someone broke in through a window and stole a number of electronics.
The family is from the south and said they have seen racism before, but thought they left that life behind when they moved to Moonachie.
"When we moved in the neighbor said you don't have to worry about those type of things. It just reestablishes, no matter where you are, or who you are, this can happen to you," he said.
It's happening across the Tri-State Area, and has now effected the locker room of an NFL team.
"It's unfortunate things like that still go on in this day and age, and you've just gotta keep your family strong because that's the last thing they can break," New York Giant Victor Cruz said.
In the face of hatred, the latest victim is asking for peace.
"Just stop it. It's 2017, oppression, racism, violence -- there's no need for that," Whitlock said.
The Whitlocks are repainting the walls and repairing the damage. Police said they're already making progress on identifying the vandals and should have more info in a couple of days. Until then, patrols around the Whitlock's home are increasing.
