On July 22, the two American flags on top of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City were replaced by all white versions of the stars and stripes. A pair of German artists have spoken up and claimed responsibility for the stunt, which has received mixed reactions in the media.

On July 22, the two American flags on top of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City were replaced by all white versions of the stars and stripes.

Now, a pair of German artists have spoken up and claimed responsibility for the stunt, which has received mixed reactions in the media.

Mischa Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke provided compelling video evidence taken from the top of the bridge, along with circumstantial evidence like descriptions of the handmade flags.

They said that the flags were placed on the Brooklyn Bridge that night in particular to honor John Roebling, the German man who designed it, and Roebling’s son who died in different years on July 22nd, and July 21st.

Leinkauf is quoted as saying: “We saw the bridge, which was designed by a German, trained in Berlin, who came to America because it was the place to fulfill his dreams, as the most beautiful expression of a great public space.”

The artists said that when they removed the original American flags, they made sure to fold each one ceremonially using the United States flag code.

The pair also reportedly strung balloons on the Brooklyn Bridge back in 2007, but those didn’t cause the same stir as the all-white American flags.