A Brooklyn artist is suing the NYPD for removing a well-known mural that’s been up for more than a decade. 

Michael McLeer says it is so much more than his personal artwork. McLeer painted the mural on York Street 13 years ago with his friend. 

However, in April, the NYPD tweeted photos that showed officers and civilians painting over the art. 

It’s part of the NYPD’s new community and NYPD graffiti cleanup campaign, to remove graffiti around the city. 

McLeer says the city had no right to paint over their work. He says they failed to discern, investigate or notify the owners and creators of the authorized and legally permitted street art. 

The NYPD has declined to comment at this time.