Two men who were arrested after a mural to George Floyd in the Northern Quarter was urinated on have been released on bail.
The pair, both aged 22, were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after the shocking incident was caught on CCTV in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).
Offenders could be seen urinating against the memorial on Stevenson Square whilst filming themselves, local councillors said.
Police have now confirmed two men who were arrested have been released.
In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "Two 22-year-old men have been released on bail pending further enquiries."
The artwork was created by Manchester street artist, Akse, in the wake of Mr Floyd's death in Minneapolis, USA, in May last year.
Manchester Councillor, Pat Karney said two men had been captured on CCTV urinating on the memorial, and filming each other as they did it.
"It was a deliberate violation of the mural and his memory," he said.
"What the mural stands for is the way in which he was unlawfully killed and the Black Lives Matter movement."
The latest incident comes two days after the painting was defaced with racist graffiti for a second time.
On Sunday night, the memorial was targeted after a large 'N' was sprayed over it.
The mural was also defaced with vile graffiti last summer when a masked vandal sprayed 'n****r' over Mr Floyd's face.
There is no suggestion that the three incidents are linked.
In a statement issued earlier today, police said: "Officers received a report around 1am on Wednesday 17 February 2021 of two males urinating against a George Floyd mural in Stevenson Square, Manchester.
"Officers attended and two men, both aged 22, were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage. They remain in custody for questioning.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 3245 quoting incident 98 of 17/02/21. Alternatively details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
