Arab Liberation Mural dropped for ‘Zionism is Racism’ tag

San Francisco Public Library removed the mural from its exhibition after the Clarion Alley Mural Project refused to hide the phrase.

Since the 1970s, murals bursting with colour — many carrying social and political messages, from supporting Indigenous movements in Central America to opposing gentrification in San Francisco — have defined the visual culture and built landscape in the city’s Mission District.

Among them is “Arab Liberation Mural” (also known as “Will to Live”), a work of social and political commentary in bursts of yellow and green, looming a story high.

Designed by local Arab activists and artists, and unveiled in 2017, the mural was at the centre of a controversy, when the San Francisco Public Library decided to include it in an  online mixed-media exhibition, entitled Wall + Response.   

At the centre of the controversy was a small phrase tucked away in the bottom right-hand side of the mural. It says: “Zionism is Racism.”

When Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP) proposed the project to the library’s exhibitions team in December, the mural was accepted. But when the works arrived at the library, the exhibitions team “had an opportunity to scrutinise the artwork more carefully” and the phrase stood out.

“The slogan ‘Zionism is Racism’ is widely considered to be antisemitic and staff was concerned that, if put on view in an open public space, it would cause harm to members of our community and library workers,” the Library said in a statement.

The library said it discussed alternative solutions with CAMP to allow the exhibit to proceed. A suggestion was made to Photoshop out the phrase “Zionism is Racism” but CAMP rejected the idea.

The mural remains on display in Clarion Alley and a petition is currently circulating for it to be reinstated in the exhibition.

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Dispute over ‘Zionism is Racism’ mural halts S.F. public library exhibit (Jewish News of California)