Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Campaign to "End Mural Moratorium" Wages On With Petition

losangelescrimes-mural-320.jpg
Photo by Lucyrk in LA via the LAist Featured Photos pool

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Artists and other L.A. residents are speaking out against the city's current crackdown on public art, and are calling for an end to what's being called the "mural moratorium." With much of what was previously considered public art, including murals on private property, now classified as advertising or "signage," there are fewer and fewer legal outlets for artists.A petition campaign is running via Change.org to urge city officials to protest the current language of the law and to encourage the repeal of the mural moratorium.

"Art in the public space is necessary for a healthy visual environment, a counter balance to grey walls and endless advertising, and a huge part of what makes LA's streets so vibrant," explains the petition page on the Change site.

The petition backer references street artist SABER, who recently took to the skies to tag the open air in protest. Following SABER's stunt, Shepard Fairey "sticker-bombed" a L.A. city planner's office.

"Murals are not signs and art is not a crime!" concludes the petition. Head over to the online petition to sign on, if you agree.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today