Talk:André (artist)

André convicted of vandalism
The statement in question is:
 * In 2015, he (André) was convicted of vandalism by a California court.

From the article cited:
 * The Swedish-Portuguese street artist Andre Saraiva, known professionally as "Mr. Andre," has paid a fine to the U.S. District Court for vandalizing a boulder in Joshua Tree National Park. On February 27th, 2015, park officials were notified by members of the public that Saraiva had posted Instagram photos of his work on one and possibly a second rock formation thought to be in the park. After investigation, only one location proved to be within park borders. He was subsequently fined an undisclosed amount which was paid on April 1st after he had returned to his home in France. Saraiva was cooperative with park rangers.

Why does the statement keep being removed from the article's lede? Is the problem with the word "convicted," in that he didn't have a trial? I'll change this to "paid a fine." Chisme (talk) 17:52, 5 August 2015 (UTC)

Vandalism conviction belongs in this article
Several attempts have been made to white-wash all references to Andre's vandalism conviction in California. The passages in question are as follows:


 * In the lede: In 2015, André was fined by a U.S. District Court for vandalizing a boulder in Joshua Tree National Park in California.


 * Under the heading "Conviction for vandalism": On April 1, 2015, André was convicted and fined for vandalizing ancient rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park in California.[2] André had posted photos of his vandalizations on Instagram. The web site Modern Hiker and its readers aided the National Park Service in tracking down and identifying André's defacing of rocks in the park.[6] Before the conviction, André attempted to silence the reporting with legal threats.

The artist Andre is known primarily in the United States for his heinous act of vandalism to one of America's most beautiful national parks, not for his artwork, his prowess as a hotlier, or his talent for operating restaurants. Therefore, all attempts to white-wash Andre's crime out of this article will be thwarted. If you want to elaborate on Andre's adventures in the restaurant trade or crow about his hotel management skills, that's okay, but don't take out the vandalism stuff. Chisme (talk) 20:47, 20 June 2016 (UTC)


 * Interesting. Do you think we need to mention as well his fines for cars badly parked ? Polaert (talk) 20:56, 20 June 2016 (UTC)


 * Vandalizing a national park is a serious crime in the United States -- it's not the equivalent of parking a car on the sidewalk. If Andre wants to scrawl his "cheery, top-hatted stick figure" on the Manneken Pis or his own pis manneken, I don't care. If he wants to spit phlegm on Flemish landmarks, that's okay by me. But you don't deface a national park in the United States of America. And you don't hurl legal threats at the guardians who catch you doing it. Chisme (talk) 21:37, 20 June 2016 (UTC)