Human Rights Club mural erased for second straight year
September 16, 2022
For the second year in a row, the Homecoming mural of the Human Rights Club has been erased.
The mural, which was painted Tuesday afternoon onto the window of local business Blu Violet Boutique, contained artwork including the pride flag and the slogan “BLM.” However, after a customer complained via email to Blu Violet’s owner, the owner asked those symbols to be removed, according to Activities Director Mrs. Ashleigh Malec.
“[The owner] said that she didn’t want to be in the middle of something that could potentially be politicized,” Malec said. A faculty member removed the flag and slogan that night.
Human Rights Club president Alia Attar, after seeing the partial erasure the next day, decided to remove the entire mural. “We felt that once part of it was erased, the painting did not represent our club,” they said.
“In a way we were taking back what we got taken from us since our mural represented identity and self expression.”
Various community members voiced their support for the Human Rights Club on social media. “I don’t have a storefront, but if I did, I would welcome their gorgeous rainbows all day every day,” said local business owner Ellie Nottoli.
In 2021, the Human Rights Club mural was erased at Egg Harbor after complaints over a pride flag on its mural. This year, the mural was partially erased by school administration after local business Blu Violet Boutique received a complaint over the pride flag and BLM slogan on the mural and asked for those symbols to be erased. Egg Harbor is donating beverages to this weekend’s event.
“I honestly just could not believe this happened a second time,” said Attar. “It’s very unfair and disturbing that a message of inclusion could be recognized as hatred.”
This is a developing story. For more information, please check back soon.
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Patricia Jenkins • Oct 4, 2022 at 2:30 pm
I don’t understand why homecoming has to be politicized. I particularly don’t love the BLM symbol and would not want it on my business either. The organization has not helped any members of the black community whatsoever. Take a look at the communities now. Not one of them has been improved with all of the funds that they received. Instead it goes into their own pockets and help their own families. It’s disgusting and disgraceful.
Mike • Sep 22, 2022 at 10:27 am
This isn’t what really happened… you know it too. They didn’t mention to the owner there would blm or lgbtqt rhetoric on the windows
Vivi Hirschfield • Sep 22, 2022 at 5:30 pm
does that matter? why should anyone be against spreading love and compassion for others?
Amy • Sep 16, 2022 at 6:18 pm
I heard the Human Rights Club is organizing a community paint day where members of the community can join the students in painting businesses that support human rights. Would be great to turn this into something positive.
Marilyn Henderson • Sep 16, 2022 at 4:37 pm
This is absolutely appalling behavior and the customer was such a coward she didn’t even address it in person, but instead went to email. Shameful. Why didn’t the principal and the teacher advisor to the club stand up for the principles of the school club and the believes of the students? This shows a huge lack of leadership by the school community. They should have gotten their priorities figured out after last year’s erasure.
Renee • Sep 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
It is really disappointing and saddening that this happened; a symbol of love and unity erased.
I think there need to be more allies in the world, because we cannot erase human identities.
Lori Thuente • Sep 16, 2022 at 3:24 pm
To the Human Rights Club…you are the future and the bigoted MINORITY is going to soon be in the distant past. Keep doing what you are doing because you are on the side of right!
Lyn Stanley • Sep 16, 2022 at 11:34 am
It really is terrible seeing students year after year be confronted with the same bigotry and unwillingness to accept progressive ideas by Lake Forest. I hope one day people in this town won’t see something like racial equality or the freedom to be who you are and love who you love as a threat or something that is “political”. It’s not political people. It’s human rights.
Amy • Sep 16, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Well said. I agree. ❤️
Renee • Sep 16, 2022 at 3:57 pm
I find it interesting that people so often find Human identities and rights offensive, then get offended by something as passive as a painting not agreeing with them, and it ruins it for everyone.