Chicago Alders Demand Removal of Controversial Artwork at Cultural Center
What We Know
A group of 27 Chicago City Council members, led by Alderman Debra Silverstein, has called for the immediate removal of a piece of artwork displayed at the Chicago Cultural Center. The piece, titled US-Israel War Machine, has drawn criticism for being offensive to the United States and Israel.
Background
The artwork has been on display at the cultural center since January, and while steps were taken to address concerns, such as removing a sign and a death count total from the display, the alders argue that the piece remains inappropriate.
Concerns
The alders have expressed deep concern and condemnation of the artwork, stating that it crosses into unprotected hate speech and promotes hatred and bigotry against the Jewish community. They have also requested that Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Hedspeth attend a hearing with the Special Events committee to explain how the artwork was approved and outline measures to prevent similar issues in the future.
Letter to the Mayor
The full letter from the alders can be found below:
Mayor Brandon Johnson,
We, the undersigned members of the Chicago City Council, write to express our deep concern and condemnation of the artwork titled US-Israel War Machine, currently displayed at the Chicago Cultural Center. The piece is extremely offensive to the United States and to Israel and crosses into unprotected hate speech. Such representations normalize anti-American sentiment and promote hatred and bigotry against the Jewish community.
We appreciate that Commissioner Hedspeth took down the sign, added a warning, and removed the death count total, but the puppets are still offensive. We call for the immediate removal of the piece from the exhibit and request Commissioner Hedspeth’s attendance at a hearing before the City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation to explain how this artwork was approved and to outline steps that will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As public officials, we respect freedom of speech and artistic expression, but not when it crosses into the obscene and promotes hate. The Chicago Cultural Center is a public space funded by taxpayer dollars, and displays there should reflect the values of our diverse and vibrant city. Artwork that is this divisive should not use public funds without a clear, transparent vetting process.
We look forward to your prompt response and to working together to uphold the values that make Chicago a city that embraces and celebrates diversity while rejecting hate in all its forms.
What We Don’t Know
It is unclear whether the city has plans to remove the artwork or how the approval process for the exhibit was conducted. FOX 32 has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.
Signatories
The letter was signed by the following alderpersons:
* Ald Silverstein, Ward 50
* Ald Sposato, Ward 38
* Ald Hopkins, Ward 2
* Ald Dowell, Ward 3
* Ald Harris, Ward 8
* Ald Beale, Ward 9
* Ald Chico, Ward 10
* Ald Lee, Ward 11
* Ald Quinn, Ward 13
* Ald Lopez, Ward 15
* Ald Coleman, Ward 16
* Ald Curtis, Ward 18
* Ald O’Shea, Ward 19
* Ald Mosley, Ward 21
* Ald Tabares, Ward 23
* Ald Scott, Ward 24
* Ald Cardona, Ward 31
* Ald Waguespack, Ward 32
* Ald Conway, Ward 34
* Ald Villegas, Ward 36
* Ald Mitts, Ward 37
* Ald Nugent, Ward 39
* Ald Napolitano, Ward 41
* Ald Reilly, Ward 42
* Ald Knudsen, Ward 43
* Ald Lawson, Ward 44
* Ald Gardiner, Ward 45
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the artwork at the Chicago Cultural Center highlights the importance of ensuring that public displays reflect the values of the community. The alders’ demand for the removal of the artwork is a call to action to promote diversity and reject hate in all its forms.
FAQs
* What is the controversy surrounding the artwork?
+ The artwork, titled US-Israel War Machine, has been criticized for being offensive to the United States and Israel, and for promoting hatred and bigotry against the Jewish community.
* What actions have been taken to address concerns?
+ The sign and death count total have been removed from the display, but the alders argue that the piece remains inappropriate.
* What is the demand of the alders?
+ The alders are demanding the immediate removal of the artwork from the exhibit and requesting that Commissioner Hedspeth attend a hearing to explain how the artwork was approved and outline measures to prevent similar issues in the future.
