Column #3: "Trashing neighborhood murals is affront to Latino community"

The column describes how recently two murals in predominately Mexican neighborhoods have been defaced, one depicting famous Latino leaders and the other Jeff Abbey Maldonado Jr., an inspiring hip-hop artist.  These crimes are seen as insults to the Chicago Latino community and its culture and traditions. This crime of vandalism has been condemned for its violence and disrespect, and murals have been or are to be restored.

Escalona fervently condemns this vandalism as it disrespects the Latino culture.  Escalona states that, "Defacing a public mural is a crime and an offense to all residents of metropolitan Chicago who treasure freedom of expression and value the art of the diverse communities."  He reaches out to all residents of Chicago, appealing to their logic that freedom of expression is a right that should be protected.  He makes it obvious that this defacing is offensive and should be prevented from occurring again.  It's a violation of the Latino community's rights.  Escalona urges the residents to all protect these rights saying, "A mural is a public work of art that belongs to all of us, and we all need to protect it."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/escalona/8175000-452/trashing-neighborhood-murals-is-affront-to-latino-community.html