An artistic banner hanging on the Old Post Office in Chapel Hill is receiving backlash from members of the Jewish community.
Promoted by the town, ‘The Power of Good Trouble’ banners by artist Sadie Rose are displayed at Peace & Justice Plaza, located at 179 E. Franklin Street. The artwork features a pro-Palestine protester wearing a keffiyeh and the phrase “#GoodTrouble.”
Keffiyeh, a scarf traditionally worn across the Middle East, has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian protesters and activists have been seen wearing these scarves.
In the Facebook post by Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture, the artist is quoted as: “Together, (these banners) evoke the essence of the ongoing struggle for racial justice, each element a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to challenge the status quo. Through their collective presence, they echo the timeless words of the late John Lewis, urging us to stir up ‘Good Trouble’ in pursuit of a more equitable world.”