Ethics

Chicago Destroys Mural on Private Property

By Ed Brayton

A Chicago alderman ordered the destruction of a mural on private property, apparently because it was critical of the police. And he seems rather proud to have done so, even though he can't seem to offer an accurate reason why he would do so. Here's the alderman explaining why:

BALCER: Yeah, I'm the alderman here. I was told about it and I okay'd it and I stand by it.

11th ward alderman James Balcer says he called in the graffiti blasters because the owner of the building never got a permit for the mural. He says he got 3 or 4 complaints from residents. He says he got some from police too and he says he agreed that the piece was distasteful.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on May 24, 2009 (boomark / email).