Miami Police Department unveils new cruiser covered in images of Africa for Black History Month

• The Miami Police Department unveiled a Black History Month-themed vehicle on Thursday.
• The car features images of Africa and depictions of raised fists.

The Miami Police Department rang in the start of Black History Month on Thursday with an audacious addition to its collection of cars.

The new police cruiser is decorated with images of the continent of Africa, as well as drawings of raised fists and a smattering of red, yellow, and green — the colors associated with Black History Month.

The department held an official Black History Month vehicle unveiling this week during which authorities revealed the new car following a ceremony at the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum in Miami.

—Because Miami (@BecauseMiami) February 2, 2023

In a Facebook post, the department said the vehicle is meant to honor and celebrate Miami Police Black history.

"Among all of the officers who were in attendance to commemorate the unveiling were some of our very first black police officers," the department said.

But the car quickly drew criticism from online onlookers who suggested the automobile was perhaps a tone-deaf testimonial to the city's Black community.

The reveal of the car also happened as the country yet again grapples with race and policing with the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols days after he was beaten by police officers in Memphis.

Sherrilyn Ifill, former President and director-counsel of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund, simply tweeted: "THIS CANNOT BE" about the Miami car.

—Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) February 2, 2023

Meanwhile, MSNBC legal analyst Charles F. Coleman Jr. suggested the display was a "tone deaf performative action" that "provokes a 'war on wokeness.'"

—Charles F Coleman Jr (@CFColemanJr) February 2, 2023

Neither the Miami Police Department nor the Mayor's Office immediately responded to Insider's request for comment.