The artists behind a new Bed-Stuy mural say they hope to tackle injustices against immigrants in their community one paint stroke at a time.
"It's showing a lot of unity in the mural," says Serena Santos, one of the youth artists. "There are figures holding hands, and there's just a lot of family pictures in the mural -- and symbols that show closeness in the community."
They are students at P.S. 373, and they are taking part in an annual project through Groundswell, a group that encourages young artists to create murals that address issues affecting them.
"With everything that's going on in the world and here in the U.S., where borders are being brought up, and the questions of what does it mean to be documented or undocumented? And do you feel safe? These youths are bringing that concentration to the wall through their art," says Ariel Estrella, a spokesperson for Groundswell.
"To be able to have this mural within a community that has immigrants and migrants is important," says Emily Manwaring, another young artist. "And to be able to put it on the school shows the education value of this topic."