Statues of Captain James Cook, the first British explorer to discover Australia, have been vandalised with red spray paint in an act of protest on the eve of the country’s national day, Australia Day. The statue of James Cook, a British explorer who chartered the Eastern Coast of Australia and claimed the land for Great Britain in 1770 was spray-painted in red with posters encouraging Aussie’s to boycott Australia Day stuck on it. Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner Glen Weir said the act of vandalism “was really disappointing.” “Whilst we understand people have certain views about this day, we always ask people to be respectful and blatant criminal activity like that will not be tolerated,” he told Channel Nine. The statue has been a popular target for vandals in recent years, with the most recent vandal in 2019 on Australia Day. In 2021, security guards were employed to protect the statue. The …