Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
WeHo Artist Angry ISIS Used His Work For Propaganda
A photo shot by a West Hollywood artist was stolen and repurposed as recruitment propaganda for the terrorist organization ISIS. Artist Brian McCarty created a series of staged photographs of toys in real life situations to highlight the issue of children in war-torn areas, and he recently discovered that ISIS adapted one of his photos to recruit new members, reports CBS LA. McCarty's original photo features a Cinderella figurine with toy missiles descending upon her, an image that was inspired by the drawing of a young girl in Gaza in 2012. The photo is part of a book and art therapy project called "WAR-TOYS," which features photos inspired by firsthand accounts of war and using toys found in the region.
But, earlier this year, with the help of Pixsy, an online service that helps track stolen photos, the West Hollywood-based photographer found the repurposed photo had been taken without permission, altered and used to promote ISIS, the UN-designated terrorist organization. The doctored photo uses the same background image and falling missiles, but replaces Cinderella with an ISIS flag surrounded by a bubble with the added caption, “Crusaders under bombardment."
From the original photo—which was intended to promote peace—the Photoshopped image suddenly took on new meaning, McCarty explains to CBS LA, “It was a message about, you know, ‘No matter what, the Caliphate would survive. That even if war destroys everything, they’ll still be here.” The altered photo was shared across social media and used to promote the terrorist organization for nearly a year.
Once McCarty discovered the stolen and altered image, he alerted Pixsy, who helped get the images taken down from Twitter and other social media outlets. Though, unfortunately, McCarty can't very easily sue ISIS for the infringement. McCarty tells PetaPixel:
Support for LAist comes from
Granted, working on WAR-TOYS has led to more than a few surreal experiences, but this was a new level. It felt like a kick in the gut to see my intentions for the project so horribly twisted. An image about an innocent child’s very real fear of war had been turned into something promoting that very thing, or at least an ideology with war and the killing of innocents as central tenants.
McCarty goes on to say, “As wrong as it feels to see the work used in this way, I can’t help but smile a little at whomever made the alternations. By replacing a toy, he or she has inadvertently equated the beliefs of ISIS to a plaything.”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist