Seattle Department of Transportation crews began removing a pro-Gaza mural on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after protesters painted it on the road in front of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building.
Nearly 200 protesters gathered in front of the building in downtown Seattle on Tuesday evening to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and that the U.S. stop sending money and weapons to help the Israeli military. The protest, led by the Seattle chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, was timed to coincide with the second night of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
During the demonstration, protesters painted a mural on the street in front of the federal building that read “No funds for genocide” and “Let Gaza live.” The circular design included the colors of the Palestinian flag as well as a watermelon, which has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity during the war.
A spokesperson for the Seattle Department of Transportation, who did not provide a name, said in an email that no one consulted with the city and no one got a permit or grant to create the mural on the public road.
Kayla Blau, a spokesperson for JVP Seattle, expressed disappointment in the city’s decision to remove the mural so quickly and wondered if it was the right allocation of resources.
“We are seeing repression nationwide from governments and universities to silence pro-Palestinian movements,” she said in a statement, “and this yet again demonstrates that this repression doesn’t keep Jews safe.”
The mural is being removed in phases to prevent harmful chemicals from going into storm drains, the SDOT spokesperson said.
Blau contends the group purposely used washable paint to protect the environment and prevent permanent damage, and knowing that rain was in the forecast.