- Last week we organised an act in the face of Paul Hashim's imprisonment situation. Using freedom of expression, the intention was to draw attention, as far as possible, to this grave repression and censorship. It seems that we have achieved this, not so much by our actions, but by the events that have taken place since that act. We made an open appeal for participation in their neighborhoods, towns and cities and we also met in the park of Tres Xemeneies. There they painted several murals. One of them was the portrait of king emeritus (the mural designated as a thief, dictator bastard, etc.). ). In less than 24 hours, staff of the Barcelona Municipal Police, covered this mural (only that). It could not be otherwise, such an obvious and selective act of censure has provoked outrage.
Media noise is being brutal. In the face of this whirlwind, I would like to clarify my position in different areas:
In the first tweet, I asked a number of questions, including @bcn_ajuntament, @bcnencomu, @AdaColau and @MarcIngerSole: Is this your positioning towards freedom of expression? Really?
I have expressed my misunderstanding and concern, whether or not the City Hall was aware of this action. If the City Hall was conscious, it would be a terrible and unacceptable act of selective censure (of all the murals, they have covered the face of the king emeritus and that points out their crimes. Coincidence? ).
If the City Hall was not aware, I think it is serious that some workers, following the mandate of who knows, act uncontrollably without following concrete protocols guaranteeing freedom of expression. I am also concerned to know who decides what is concealed, when, why and under what criteria or objectives.
All these questions are on the table, together with the need for clarification.
Many people ask me if it is true that the City Hall has contacted me: yes, it has been, I have been told that there was no political order to cover the mural, that they feel what has happened, that they will investigate the case so that it does not happen again, and that they have offered me the means, permits and facilities to cover the expenses of replacing the mural.
I've told you that I don't need any personal forgiveness or permission to repaint. For years I have been drawing in Barcelona and if there is any problem with murals and graffiti, it is not about the mural of Sunday, nor about Tres Xemeneies, but about the civic ordinance, that of the municipal police (which was there when the work was censored) and that of Barcelona and the lack of guarantees for the free exercise of freedom of expression.
Therefore, I have informed you that the collective people who have the street as a framework of our artistic, cultural and vindictive action, we hope that they will clearly and unequivocally stand in favour of freedom of expression, in defence of Pablo Hasélen and in all cases of censorship and criminalization, and that they will try to clarify the responsibilities so that these types of cases do not happen again with the hands of those in the uniform. Only time will tell us if this happens or if, when the whirlwind passes, everything stays the same.
In recent hours, the Mayor has made a public position on the subject. From that point on everyone will appreciate it in the way they feel most convenient. What is it, a late but honest positioning? Is it a small and humble victory because we have pushed enough for this to happen? Is it a campaign action? Is that also the case for other parties who have taken their hands to the head? I do not know, they are events full of dark lights, interests and "politicians" (if you allow me to use this sense). I cannot judge myself, and I do not want the weapon of the election campaign to become a mural.
As I like to see the glass half full, I think it is a small conquest that we have achieved with the few resources that we have on the street: with mobilization. If, after all, all the political parties that have protested to cover the mural take a clear step forward in favour of freedom of expression, where they have been able to influence, both in Barcelona, in municipalities, neighbourhoods, towns and administrations, and respond to the citizens’ cry for freedom of expression, we may have made some progress, but the road is long and the starting point (which comes from far and far from my mural) is a terrible censure. A clear and serious situation of the lack of democracy, the judicialization of dissent and the cover-up of the robbers, of the abuses of power, which covers all the stages of this country and state.
We will continue to protest and make use of freedom of expression and to judge those who commit crimes, not those we point to.