September 28th, 2007

HOMEY's mural was approved by the SF Arts Commission.  There were a number of great victories in this process. 

  • Working together with HOMEY on education around Palestinian liberation struggles and history
  • Learning more about the work of HOMEY against gang injunctions and policing
  • Coming together with anti-Zionists from all different racial and political communities, and showing the Arts Commission and the Bay Area that we are a strong, united force
  • Looking forward to continuing to work across communities to build a united movement for racial and economic justice
Many of us feel saddened and outraged that HOMEY, a group of youth working towards their own empowerment as young Latin@s, was pressured to change a mural they, and we, believed stood for true "Solidarity-- Breaking Down Barriers".  Not only is this unjust towards Palestinians and other Arabs, but an unfair act of censorship for the youth and the community.  Despite intense pressure from Zionist forces, HOMEY was able to take a brave stand and maintain the integrity of their message, however the original image has changed.  The main changes are as follows:
  • The break in the wall is no longer in the shape of Palestine
  • The figure originally represented wearing a Keffiyeh covering their face has been changed to the image of a strong woman wearing the Keffiyeh wrapped around her face
  • An olive tree has been added to the wall as a symbol of hope, in homage to trees lost because of the construction of the Wall, and representing Palestinian culture, strength, history and liberation.
Though we may be sad the changes were demanded, we can take strength from the process, and the fact that Palestinian struggles remain strongly depicted on a mural of our legacies in solidarity-- a beautiful reminder of all the pressures we face, and the victories in our unity.

Thank you HOMEY, all our pro-Palestinian allies, and comrades in struggle.

 

 

 

 

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 (see JCRC letter) 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.  


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

Sign onto letter 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.


Please send a copy of all letters of support to admin (at) homeysf.org.  

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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.


 

Youth learning from their ancestors' struggles 

 

 "We're indigenous to this land" Immigrant Rights Protests

 

Symbol of Norteno/Sureno Unity, Mexican US Border Wall  

 

 Liberation Struggles and Memorial to youth who have passed due to violence

Old Skool meets New Skool 

  

Black Brown Unity