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.
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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