The Nathaniel Rochester statue in the South Wedge of Rochester has been defaced.

The statue's hands have been painted red, with the word 'shame' written across its forehead.

Other messages like 'white supremacy' and 'stole indigenous lands' have also been painted on it.

Mayor Lovely Warren says it's complicated to recognize him for founding what became Rochester, while also understanding that he was a slave owner.

"You know, that's something that we have to talk about as a community and what would be the best way to deal with those figures," said Warren. 

There is no word yet on what the city plans to do with the statue, but the mayor said this is the type of issue she hopes can be addressed by the Commission on Racial and Structural Equality announced Thursday.