The City issued a notice to the landlord of the Gallery suggesting that the anti-Olympic mural was graffiti and contravened the City's restrictions on graffiti, and ordering the mural removed. The BCCLA has written a letter to the City of Vancouver, expressing disappointment that the City has targeted this expression, apparently based on the content of the sign.
"We urge you to review your processes to ensure that this does not happen again," wrote Holmes in the letter, "Although we are losing confidence in your political will to ensure that all voices are heard during the Olympic period despite your repeated public assertions to the contrary."
Other displays mounted by the Crying Room, since 2003, can be viewed at www.thecryingroom.com
A photo of the mural ordered removed by the city can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbird_hollow/3960151488/
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robert Holmes, President, 604-838-6856
David Eby, Executive Director, 778-865-7997
The City of Vancouver has shut down the public art space that has existed, uninterrupted since 2003, in front of the Crying Room gallery at 157 East Cordova Street following the posting of an anti-Olympic mural.
