A mural at the Great Highway was vandalized less than a day after the road was closed to vehicles to begin its transformation into a permanent oceanfront park.
A press release distributed on behalf of Friends of Ocean Beach Park details the vandalism and includes testimony from local artists like Emily Fromm, who said she was verbally harassed while painting murals for the park.
“It’s painful to see something meant to uplift the community and celebrate our history be treated with disrespect,” said Fromm, whose mural was scribbled over with white spray paint. Fromm is soliciting volunteers to help her fix the mural.
Photos accompanying the press release show a message spray-painted on the street, “JOEL LIE$ #RECALL,” that appears to refer to Supervisor Joel Engardio, whose support of removing car traffic from the Great Highway has spurred a recall effort.
“No one should have to endure verbal abuse by someone who disagrees with a policy or the outcome of a vote,” Engardio said of the mural vandalism in a comment.
The vandalism follows a contentious public debate about the future of the Great Highway. Last November, 55% of San Francisco voters approved Proposition K to convert the roadway into a park, which is scheduled to open April 12.
Park rangers have opened an investigation into the vandalism and will increase their patrols, according to a spokesperson for Friends of Ocean Beach Park.
“Vandalizing a beautiful mural to protest a park is a bit like slashing your own tires to complain about traffic,” said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
Even some who opposed the park conversion have condemned the act.
“While I did not support Prop. K, San Francisco voters as a whole did,” said Malcolm Yeung, executive director of the Chinatown Community Development Center.
State Sen. Scott Wiener called the attacks on artists and volunteers “shameful,” describing the Great Highway transformation as “a visionary project that reflects our city’s values.”
Community leaders are urging residents to remain civil despite strong feelings about the transition.