Unpermitted ‘All Lives Matter’ sign painted on Martinez roadway

The person who originally painted the "All Lives Matter" message in the 900 block of Howe Road did not have a city permit to do so, police said.

MARTINEZ — Police were looking for a person who illegally painted an “All Lives Matter” message on a city road Tuesday, about two miles from where a “Black Lives Matter” message was painted legally.

The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations since the painting of the original mural on July 4.

Martinez police Lt. Mike Estanol said officers found the illicit paint work around noon Tuesday in the 900 block of Howe Road, near Old Orchard. By the time they arrived, a person, not identified, by police, was covering the unpermitted sign with black paint to blend into the roadway.

Police did not offer any information about a suspect in the creation of the original paint, but said they were looking for that person.

The Tuesday incident differed from the one Saturday, when police said two people defaced a “Black Lives Matter” mural by painting black over some of the yellow lettering. In that case, the mural creators had received a permit from city officials on July 1.

The message had just been completed outside the Wakefield Taylor courthouse in the 700 block of Court Street, when two people began to paint over the “B” and “L” with black paint using a large roller. They were identified Tuesday by authorities as David Nelson, 53, and Nicole Anderson, 42.

They have been charged with misdemeanor vandalism charges, including a hate crime, authorities said.

Much of that incident was captured on video.

Check back for updates.