Mural contains hurtful, divisive words and images
Statement of Milwaukee Common Council Members: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderperson Jonathan Brostoff, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II
We have seen a mural that has gone up at Locust and Holton in the 6th District, and we are troubled by the hurtful and divisive messaging it contains.
The same space (on private property) that has displayed a beautiful and inspiring mural of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman murdered by Louisville Metro Police in 2020, is now displaying a mural featuring the Star of David with a swastika placed inside of it.
Some people look for any excuse to wave a swastika. It has long been a symbol of intolerance and hatred, designed to psychologically injure and oppress those who are different. To see it displayed on the streets of our city is sad, distressing, and disheartening.
Art has the power to inspire, educate, and heal. However, by displaying the swastika, the mural triggers deep feelings and traumatic associations with atrocities, persecution, and genocide, and it is not welcome in our community.
Good art, in our opinion, can move people to initiate engagement and dialogue that can lead to positive change, or even to some level of mutual understanding.
This mural is not the way to move people in a positive direction, and we are requesting the property owner take it down in a spirit of healing.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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Mural on building on Locuct and Holton is giving me anxiety. Over 250,000 children and minors were murdered at AUSCHWITZ-BURKENAU. Remove the Mural now!
So we are more offended by a billboard than what is actually happening in Gaza? Got it.
I appreciate the response of the Common Council to the mural. Thank you for speaking out. As a Jew and a Holocaust and genocide scholar, it is important to make explicit the antisemitic trope that is embedded in the mural. It illustrates profound ignorance and hatred towards all Jews. The Star of David is a religious symbol. Associating it with the swastika states a direct connection between all Jews, Judaism and genocide. It stems from a 2000 year history of the use of such tropes as weapons against individuals who are Jews. If the mural had painted the Christian cross with the swastika, casting dispersion on all Christians, there would be widespread outrage.
Along with so many others I abhor the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, but I equally abhor the antisemitism and racism that is embedded in the present attitudes that exclude so many voices of dissent, not to mention the despicable actions of Hamas. Even as I write this I know I will be targeted by hate. Over the past 60 years I have been an activist who has protested the American government’s policies around the world and at home. I have never been attacked as an American for the actions of my government. Holding Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitic to the core. Jews are as diverse and complex as any people but somehow it is okay to impose a monolithic one dimensional view on them that represents the kind of racism that many of us try to combat everyday.
RELEASE THE HOSTAGES
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Palestinians got used by Hamas. Same will happen to voters for Harris Biden Wahl.
Atrocities have been committed by both Hamas and Israel. Recognizing this fact with a mural is protected speech in America. Private property is also protected. Hate that mural all you want but forcing its removal through government action is unconstitutional.
PEOPLE ARE ULITIMATE DISCSION MAKER. Some proud American will step up and decide the faith of the mural. Just like people took the place of Vietnam War draft dodgers who fled to Canada.
Israel has not committed genocide in Gaza. Jews are being held hostages to be used as bargaining tools my Palestinians. Jews were savagely attacked during a music and art festival. Why did this method happen to get attention for the common lives of the Palestinian people??? Palestinians were used as ” tools ” by controlling force to spread hatred in the region and eventually get America involved.
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The best art challenges us. We’re turning into a bunch of cowards that are incapable of having adult discussions.
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