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My crew and I, along with Manny Oliver, Joaquin Oliver’s dad, just completed this 6 story Demand Change mural in the Chinatown district of Washington DC. Gun violence is an issue I’ve addressed in my art going back to the 90’s, but no project has ever had the emotional weight that this one does. Joaquin Oliver was one of 17 people shot and killed at Parkland High… he was 17 at the time, the same age as my younger daughter Madeline. My art is a reflection of my values: human rights, justice, peace, equality, and yes, family values. I put the value of my family and anyone else’s family ahead of the right to bear arms without conditions. The founders of the U.S. included in the Declaration of Independence the idea that we are all endowed with unalienable rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Gun violence takes those unalienable rights away from too many people. Guns kill more kids now than car accidents and no one debates that driving a car comes with conditions around safety and responsibility. I hope that anyone who sees this mural is intrigued by who Joaquin Oliver was/is and can understand that he had huge promise and meant the world to his parents. Manny, Patricia, and I don’t want other families to lose their kids to gun violence. This mural is not just a tribute to Joaquin but a reminder that there is a huge human consequence to gun violence and there aren’t enough walls to pay tribute to all who have died tragically. It is time for us to demand change! We must use our voices and our actions, especially including our votes, to push for change. Joaquin could be your son, brother, cousin, or friend. Please check out and support what Manny Oliver is doing as an artist and activist with his org Change the Ref. Also check out Manny’s play “Guac” if it comes to your town. Thank you to my crew of Nic Bowers and Rob Zagula, as well as Manny Oliver for their help on the mural. Also, big thanks to Lukas Umana from Downtown DCD for securing the wall and resources. Also thank you to Wooly Mammoth DC for hosting Manny’s play and helping to facilitate this project!
-Shepard
Photo by Rob Zagula
