Statue of WWII kiss vandalized after U.S. sailor's death

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One day after the U.S. sailor famously photographed kissing a stranger at the end of World War Two died at age 95, a statue in Florida depicting the moment has been vandalized with a "#MeToo" painted in red.

"The approximate damage is estimated to be more than $1,000 due to the large area that the graffiti covers, and the resources needed to repair it," police said.

The city's Department of Public works washed off the graffiti by 9 a.m., police said.

For many the image of George Mendonsa kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman represents the joy felt across the U.S. on the day Japan surrendered, ending World War Two.

"It was the moment that you come back from the Pacific, and finally the war ends," Mendonsa told CBS News in 2012.

A sailor kisses a nurse passionately in Manhattan's Times Square as New York City celebrates the surrender of Japan, August 14, 1945. / VCG Photo

However, in more recent years others consider the act a sexual assault by modern standards, given the fact Mendonsa did not have Friedman's consent to kiss her.

In a 2005 interview for the Veteran's History Project, Greta Zimmer Friedman said it wasn't her choice to be kissed and that Mendonsa "grabbed" her.

However, she made it clear the kiss was a "jubilant act" and "it was just an event of 'thank god the war is over.'"

However, the #MeToo movement in recent years has shone a light on historic claims of sexual assault, and opened up a debate about consent and assault.

Disrespectful or Justified?

Sarasota Police Department shared the images of the defaced statue on social media, leading many to express their annoyance at the graffiti and the insinuation that the kiss was sexual assault.

Twitter screenshot from the official account of City of Sarasota, February 20, 2019 / CGTN Photo

"This statue represents a period in time that many today cannot relate to," one person wrote on Facebook. "The whole country was celebrating the end of a war – the whole country was together in that celebration."

Another commented: "Sexual assault is terrible but this was certainly not that situation. I can assure you this poor man who just died this week was not thinking of sexually assaulting a woman when he found out World War Two was over!"

Others suggested that the vandalism was disrespectful, given Mendonsa's recent death.

"(It is) sad this happened, especially since this guy just died the other day at 95 years old."

However, others suggested the graffiti was justified.

Twitter screenshot from the official account of City of Sarasota, February 20, 2019 / CGTN Photo

One Facebook user urged the city to "take the statue down."

"It may be called 'Unconditional Surrender,' but the circumstance was 'Involuntary Surrender.' She didn't know that guy, he just grabbed her and kissed her," the commenter continued.

"(I'm) not saying this woman feels like a victim, but technically it was an unwanted, unsolicited sexual act. Plain and simple," another person wrote.

"The #MeToo movement is also meant to educate and understand that women cannot continue to be seen as sex objects that men can just take when they want!"

The City of Sarasota confirmed the graffiti was removed on Tuesday morning.

(Cover image: Unconditional Surrender Sculpture and Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum,San Diego, California, May 13, 2018 / VCG Photo)