defend artistic expression:mural under attack by zionists!

2007-08-26T05:37:22Z

the Mission youth group HOMEY is painting a mural at 24th and Capp streets which depicts struggles of indigenous communities and includes imagery of Palestine. ADL and the JCRC have organized to demand that the mural be altered. Please read the below message from AROC (Arab Resource and Organizing Committee), the sample letter (and send a letter of your own!) and listen to the KPFA coverage. and finally, make sure to swing by and take a look at the mural. I'll post updates ehre as I hear them...

Message from AROC:

We are writing to ask for your support for a mural on 24th and Capp St
that is under attack by Zionists. The mural depicts related images of
struggle by indigenous communities against forces of imperialism,
racism, and economic oppression. Its major theme is breaking down
walls—those in Mexico, Palestine, Iraq—and the physical and social
walls in our own communities here.

The Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Community Relations Council
are asking the youth artists from HOMEY to censor their work, and
remove or alter the portion of the mural depicting Palestinian
resistance. We stand behind the artists' creativity and conviction,
and insist that Palestine hold its place on this mural amongst other
struggles for liberation.

Please take the time to go see the mural and support the artists.
You can see pictures of a small part of the amazing mural at
www.araborganizing.org/mural

Write the Arts Commission expressing your support for this mural and
the freedom of expression of the artists.

Sign on below or use as a sample letter. Please include your personal
feelings on the mural, if you live or work in the area, as well as any
community or organizational affiliations you have.

In Struggle,
Arab Resource and Organizing Center (arabamericanlegal@gmail.com)

Please send a copy of all letters of support to admin@homeysf.org .

******************************************************************

Ellen Shershow ellen.shershow@sfgov.org
Jill Manton jill.manton@sfgov.org

Public Art Program, SF Arts Commission
25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94103

Dear SF Arts Commission,

I am writing to express my support of the mural on 24th and Capp in
its entirety, including the positive images of Palestinian liberation
struggles. I applaud the SF Arts Commission for their encouragement
of self-expression and youth leadership development, and want to
ensure that the Commission continues to allow for and insist on the
artistic freedom of the HOMEY artists.

This mural represents the united struggles of people of color in the
Mission, including the Palestinian and Arab community working with,
living amongst, and supporting the young people of this neighborhood.
The mural depicts self-determination for all and breaking down
barriers as major themes. Just as residents of the Mission are
fighting displacement locally and walls separating them from their
homelands, so too are Palestinians.

As artists, you know the importance of freedom of creativity and the
right to express strongly your beliefs and experiences. The muralist
tradition has always been rooted in its depiction of popular history
and struggle as experienced by the artist and the community the mural
is being made in. To censor this narrative dismisses the central
function, purpose, and power of the medium and the communities it
speaks to. I hope this mural can not only visually represent
self-determination, but also embody the self-determination of young
artists and Mission residents through your help maintaining the
integrity of the mural and the traditions and lived experiences which
have inspired it.

Sincerely,
**********************

KPFA covered the topic of the mural on this week's LA Raza Chronicles......
I've gotten hella emails and phone calls in support of the mural
project. Thanks to everyone for the love....
~Nancy

http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=21873

hupcollective

defend artistic expression:mural under attack by zionists!