Tattoo Parlour Offers To Cover Up Racist Skin Art Free Of Charge

A tattoo parlour in the US is offering to cover up racist skin art free of charge.

The Gallery X Art Collective in Murray, just north of Kentucky's border with Tennessee, extended the offer in a Facebook post, which encouraged people to start out on the path to 'becoming a better person'.

The only condition is that the artists get to cover up the racist ink with a design of their choosing.

PA

The Facebook post - which was shared on 7 June - read: "If you have a racist tattoo and you want it gone, I'll cover it for free. No questions asked. I choose the design. Let's get that sh*t off your body.

"This goes for you that have gang tattoos as well. Gallery X Art Collective would like to extend the offer to change your future in becoming a better person. If it is hate related, in any way, we will schedule you a day to come get it cover up for free, at the artists choosing. There will be options for ideas but all designs and ideas will be up to Jeremiah, or Ryun King which ever one is doing your tattoo.

"We have plenty of predawn designs and flash books, so if you feel it's time to change your hate, or have been reformed but been too broke to cover your mistake of a tattoo, come see me you'll get a class tattoo for free that can start your path to being the person you were meant to be."

And it seems many people are keen to erase the mistakes of their past, as in the last two days alone, more than 500 people have contacted the studio about the offer, according to owner Jay Harvill.

Speaking to ABC News, he said: "The response has been a little overwhelming for the artists. They are reviewing each one and they really want to help everyone that truly wants to cover up and right the wrongs from past mistakes.

"My artist feels that offering this service is the best way they can help and give back to our community. To help spread the messages of positivity, equality and to just love each other."

Clearly, eyes have been opened in the wake of George Floyd's death in police custody and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the planet.

Speaking to KFVS 12, Jennifer Tucker - the first person to benefit from the studio's free service - explained why she decided to take up the opportunity of a free cover up.

She said: "I'm getting a confederate flag covered on my ankle that I got when I was 18.

"It's a symbol of hatred and I want it off me."

Topics: Awesome, US News, Tattoo

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey