Sand Springs Tattoo Shop Covers Hate-Related Tattoos For Free

The Parlor Hair and Ink shop in Sand Springs provided people with free tattoos to cover any racial, hateful, or negative tattoo.

A local business says they do this to help people change their image.

Cody is one of the dozens of people who got their tattoos covered for free at the Parlor.

He says he is thankful to have the opportunity to change his image and cover up a negative tattoo.

“Hatchetman has caused me a lot of problems in and out of my life. Since I was about 18 years old I’ve had this tattoo. Today they're blessing me by covering it up with something, kind of a nature-ish wolf with a resurrection coffin so I’m really blessed to have it”, said Cody, Customer

Tattoo Artist Jamy Magee says this annual effort “Stop the Hate 918” was started five years ago with hopes of making an impact on the community in a positive way.

“It was an idea that’s kind of morphed into this and it’s something that we are proud to be able to do every year and give back to the community hopefully help people make an impact on their life”, said Jamy Magee, Owner, Parlor Hair and Ink shop

Parlor Hair and Ink added free haircuts in addition to its covered free of charge tattoos.

“I have a lot of family that have gone down rough paths and a lot have changed their ways and to see people make that choice for themselves and their children to get that second chance is amazing to me its means the world to me honestly”, said Destiny Simpson, Stylist/Barber

Magee says a lot of these tattoos covered up had a negative or hateful meaning.

“It really changes people’s lives from an aspect of the way their kids view them and way others view them, it's life-altering. So for us to be able to sit in our cubicle and make that kind of impact is really humbling and something we are really proud to do for the community”, said Jamy Magee, Owner

One customer says she's appreciative to have her tattoo replaced because she regrets it and is always finding ways to hide it.

“I tried to keep it covered and hidden I’m embarrassed for my children to know that I was a part of my life and I’m just glad to be rid of it”

Over the last 5 years this “Stop the Hate 918” event has been held, more than 200 tattoos have been covered.