Ben's Chili Bowl Suddenly Removes Bill Cosby Mural in DC

WASHINGTON, DC — A large mural featuring the likeness of alleged rapist Bill Cosby that was painted on the sides of Ben's Chili Bowl in D.C. reportedly has been removed by the famous D.C. eatery, and possibly in the middle of the night.

The mural, which was first put up in September 2012, appears to have been whitewashed, according to a Popville report, which quotes a source as saying that workers must have done it in the dead of night because a man was still painting at 7 a.m.

Ben's Chili Bowl didn't address the allegations against Cosby, a former friend of the restaurant who helped open another location in nearby Arlington, in a statement posted to their website.

"The mural alongside Ben’s was painted in 2012," the statement reads. "Now, after 5 years of braving the elements, its time to refresh and repaint the mural and we want your input! Below you will have the opportunity to pick your top 6 nominees from those listed below. You may also pick your favorite group of people, write in a name for consideration, and write in a complete group of your own. Thanks for your support and suggestions for our 2017 Mural."

Cosby wasn't the only figure removed: Barack Obama and others were also featured on the mural. Ben's Chili Bowl is holding a vote on the next mural, and has listed the following nominees, with the top six earning spots on the mural (note: Bill Cosby is on the list of nominees):

Alice Walker
Angela Davis
Anthony Bourdain
Barack Obama
Ben Ali
Bill Cosby
Bob Marley
Cathy Hughes
Charlene Drew Jarvis
Chris Rock
Chuck Brown
Common
Danny Glover
Dave Chappelle
Denzel Washington
Dorothy Height
Duke Ellington
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Ellen Degeneres
Frederick Douglass
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
George Clinton
George Lopez
Harriet Tubman
Harry Belafonte
Jesse Jackson Sr.
Jimmy Fallon
Joe Mantegna
John F Kennedy Jr.
John Leguizamo
Kevin Durant
Kevin Hart
Lance Gross
Ludacris
Mahatma Ghandi
Marion Barry Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Marvin Gaye
Maya Angelou
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Michael Jackson
Michelle Obama
Misty Copeland
Nikki Giovanni
Oprah Winfrey
Prince
Rachael Ray
Roberta Flack
Russ Parr
Simone Biles
Stevie Wonder
Taraji P. Henson
Terrance Howard
Tyrese
Virginia Ali
Wale

Image via Ben's Chili Bowl