MONTREAL – School children, artists and community members in Pointe-Saint-Charles were outraged after a beloved mural was vandalized on Monday night.
Many were calling the act racist, as the face of a black woman had been white-washed.
The mural, which was brought to life by a local artists collective called Au pied du mur, was officially unveiled in the September after seven months of hard work.
A portrait of “diversity, adversity and solidarity,” the mural traces the history of Pointe-Saint-Charles as the cradle of industrialization and hotbed of community activism. It also honours those who have shaped the life of the neighbourhood for generations.
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To see photos of the project, click here.
Running along a CN barrier that cuts across the neighbourhood, the mural is one of the longest in Montreal at over 80 meters long (265 feet) and 5 meters (16 feet) high.
Initiated by local residents and brought about by a partnership with Pointe libertaire and the Carrefour d’éducation populaire de Pointe-Saint-Charles, the mural project received funding from Engrenage Noir, the City of Montreal and the Sud-Ouest borough.
The paint used was even provided at cost by the owner of a local hardware store, Mr. Lavoie.
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