Peaceful protest held in Greenburgh to protect mural that is causing controversy

The protest stems from a painting of Louis Farrakhan that makes up part of a mural underneath 1-287 on Manhattan Avenue.

News 12 Staff

Sep 9, 2022, 4:47 PM

Updated 834 days ago

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People came together in a peaceful protest in Greenburgh on Friday night to protect a piece of art that is causing controversy.

The protest stems from a painting of Louis Farrakhan that makes up part of a mural underneath 1-287 on Manhattan Avenue.
News 12 first reported on the controversy in late August, saying that some people found the image of Farrakhan offensive, due to his past comments towards Jewish people. Other people see him as a symbol of unity.
His face was initially not part of the authorized sketch, but other faces on the mural weren't, either.
The Town of Greenburgh says it will paint over the unauthorized images if the artists don't agree to willingly remove it.
However, members of the Black community see this as censorship. The mural was meant to represent and celebrate the Black community.
They see Farrakhan as someone who promotes unity and has tackled tough issues, and hope the peaceful rally shows the town that it deserves to be kept as is.
The was supposed to be a second part of the mural.  The town and artists all agreed to it, but due to the disapproval from the town, the project remains stalled.