Petition to stop mural of Jacinda Ardern hugging Muslim woman
More than 1000 people are calling for a proposed mural depicting the New Zealand Prime Minister hugging a Muslim woman to be scrapped.
More than $11,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign for the 23-metre-high mural of Jacinda Ardern in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Renowned street artist Loretta Lizzio had offered to donate her time “to paint an image of unity, an image of hope” on the Tinning Street silos, which make up part of the Brunswick skyline in Melbourne’s north.
But the idea to promote the message of peace following the Christchurch massacre which left 50 people dead has been met with some opposition.
According to news.com.au, about 1400 people have signed a change.org petition in a bid to halt the project.
“Its (sic) not wanted in Australia. Nothing to do with Australia,” one woman commented on the petition.
The GoFundMe page for the mural raised the $11,000 needed to paint it in just one day.
“Jacinda Ardern led the world after the shootings. Her complete embrace of the Islamic community, and in fact of all New Zealanders as part of a whole that can never be divided by hate, has been both beautiful and powerful to witness,” the fundraising page said.
“We want this message, this moment in time, remembered. We want to learn from it, we want it to hold us up, to strengthen us.
“We want everyone to know we are them, that they are us and, that we are, and always will be, stronger together.”
Despite some objecting to the project, the mural is expected to be completed by May 30.
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