[MSN] Slap at our 'Independence': Colonial-inspired mural defaced

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

07/12/2006 
Slap at our 'Independence': Colonial-inspired mural defaced  
ARTEMIS , Staff Writer  

COUGHLAN 
TRENTON -- It is the dream of Trenton Downtown Association officials.
 
The muralist has spent every possible day, including weekends and holidays
since May 5 to paint it, and it took a vandal only a few minutes to nearly
destroy it with tan paint.

The creation depicts the first reading of the Declaration of Independence on
the steps of the Hunterdon County Courthouse, then located in Trenton, on
July 8, 1776. The county was later named after General Hugh Mercer, a
distinguished Revolutionary War hero who died from his wounds received
during the Battle of Princeton in 1777.

The mural sits on the back wall of the Weidel Insurance Company at 23 S.
Warren Street. 

"The police, patrons and artist don't think this was a random act of
violence," said Bea Scala-Frichler, director of programming with TDA.

The artist, Illia Barger, had cordoned off the area of the parking lot
behind the company with yellow caution tape. That's so nobody would get wet
paint or their clothes or car, said Scala-Fischler.

Then a person parked under the tape and the muralist asked them to move
their car. The person became agitated. Some suspect that driver may be
responsible for the damage, but that has yet to be determined.

The mural was commissioned by TDA and cost $50,000. Now it will take between
$5,000 and $8,000 to repair, Scala-Fischler said.

A maintenance worker at TDA saw the damage before 8 a.m. yesterday, called
his supervisor. The supervisor called police and the police called the
Trenton Public Works.

Workers with public works dropped everything they were doing and brought a
power washer and removed about 90 percent of the damaging paint.

"The city and the police have been wonderful and they can do no wrong. They
helped out a great deal. The muralist will have to repair what was left of
the damage and then she will have to finish the mural," Scala-Fischler said.

"We first wanted to have a public presentation on July 7. Because of the
rain and flood, that was put back to July 27 and now the time of the
presentation is indefinite."

The declaration was read to people in only three cities that day, in
Philadelphia, Trenton and Scranton, Pa., said Richard Patterson, director of
the Old Barracks Museum.

"We have been watching the progress of this mural every day as it takes
shape. This has been a real event for us. I was blown away when I first saw
the concept drawing of the mural. It's been a point of pride for the city
and for the people of this neighborhood."

Experts at the museum have been working with the muralist to make sure the
Colonial garb and other historical aspects are correct on the mural that
measures 36 feet tall by 60 feet wide.

Instead of using only white people in the mural, Barger is putting everyday
people from today in it -- black, white, young, old, male and female.

"This represents contemporary people. "We the people" is how the declaration
starts. So we are the people today," Barger said, whose home was flooded out
during this month's flood.

As soon as the power washer was shut off, the Trenton police pulled up to
the parking lot and replaced the yellow tape with metal barricades.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating the incident, said Peter
Page, police spokesman.

"The person who did this insulted the entire city and showed outrageous
disrespect for Trenton's central spot in American history," said Police
Director Joseph Santiago.

"These are very difficult crimes to solve but this case is a special
priority for us."

Page said extra patrols have been assigned to the area and the case is
assigned to Detective Steve White.

In addition, the National Night Out Against Crime committee is donating $250
towards the cots of repainting and repairing the mural, said Captain Joseph
Juniak, committee chairman.

"Community pride is the core of National Night Out and this mural depicts
one of the proudest moments in the history of this city," Juniak said.

"Thousands and thousands of people have enjoyed seeing this mural take shape
since the artist started working in May. We will not allow one spiteful
person to destroy something the entire community values."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call White at
609-989-4081 or the Trenton Police Tip Line at 609-989-3663.

If you would like to donate to the non-profit TDA to help cover the costs of
repairs are asked to make checks payable to TDA and send them to 23 E. State
Street, Trenton, N.J., 08808 or call 609-393-8998, ext. 12.