Skid Row Supermural

Two of my favorite things are maps and murals, so I had to go see this one, even though it's in the most depressing place in the city.  I had read about this mural in the L.A. Times- "For skid row residents and advocates, mural is a sign of survival." The official name of this neighborhood is "Central City East," not skid row.  In 2006, Firefighters at Fire Station 9, the neighborhood station, were ordered by the city to remove the words "Skid Row" from their trucks.  That same year, the boundaries of skid row were defined in a court case,  Jones vs. City of Los Angeles.  If you have time, you can read about it here.  The details are heartbreaking.  A.C.L.U. has a synopsis of the decision.

“It is the only place in our community where you will see the name ‘Skid Row’ in public"said organizer General Jeff Page.  Everyone who worked on the mural lived within the boundaries depicted, and it was entirely funded by Skid Row residents.  Credit goes to the Winston Death Squad, Wild Life, Chris Como, and Tre. "Now, folks will come from all over the world to take a photo in front of this mural just as they do with the iconic Hollywood sign”, says General Jeff.  Next time I'm there, I'll make it a selfie.

Even one homeless person is too many.

The intention is to fill the entire wall, and its a long one, with murals. Here is one more panel.