Defend Dignity: Shepard Fairey [VIDEO]

Los Angeles is a big melting pot with immigrants from tons of different communities, and of course, there’s a very strong Latino presence here. The subject of my new mural in #southparkla is of Maribel Valdez Gonzales, who is currently in the states, but her family is originally from Mexico. It doesn’t matter what your ethnic background is, your country of origin, your skin color. Once you’re in the U.S. and you’re a citizen, you are equally an American and should have access to the American Dream. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁣⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠

-Shepard⁠ Fairey ⠀⠀

DEFEND DIGNITY, Between Grand and Olympic South Park, DTLA

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This “Defend Dignity” mural is meant to inspire sensitivity toward our fellow human beings and the planet itself. The central image created for the #WETHEPEOPLE series, is a portrait of Maribel Valdez Gonzalez who is a Texan of Mexican descent. In collaboration with photographer Arlene Mejorado, who works on immigrant’s rights, to create this image as a symbol of hope, dignity, and humanity. The bleeding lotus is a symbol of the beauty and fragility of our planet. Raphael, the building owner, is not only an immigrant whose family had to start over from nothing after the revolution in his native Iran, but his family now runs one of the largest eco-friendly textiles companies. Raphael also supported the WE THE PEOPLE Kickstarter campaign two years earlier.⁠

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Video by: @chopemdownfilms @brandedarts