Man grabs power washer, heads downtown to clean city of George Floyd protest graffiti

KTRK logo
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Man grabs power washer, heads downtown to clean city of George Floyd protest graffiti
"We can protest, but we don't have to destroy the city."

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- When a man saw ABC13's live coverage of the protests in downtown over the death of George Floyd, he decided to do something about the damage done.

VIEW RELATED STORY: Several officers hurt, nearly 200 arrested during George Floyd protest

"I just took a shower, I told my wife, 'I'm going to go down there and wipe off all that graffiti,' and I got my pressure washer," said Brian Irving.

Irving was seen cleaning off a portion of the Federal Building on San Jacinto Saturday around 2 a.m.

He said he was spending four hours overnight doing what he could for the city he's lived in and loved for more than 50 years.

"I said 'let me go down there and let me clean up my city,'" Irving said. "What came to my mind was what JFK said - 'Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country.' I'm coming down here to put my little bit in."

Irving said he's a truck driver by day, but Saturday morning he was determined to use elbow grease to erase vandalism.

Peaceful protests for George Floyd turned disruptive in Houston

He said he understands the anger, but not the destruction.

"We can protest, but we don't have to destroy the city," said Irving.

VIEW RELATED STORY: Protester uses fire extinguisher on police officers at Houston George Floyd protest