The SUMUD: RESISTANCE UNTIL LIBERATION MURAL at Uptown Auto Body in Oakland, California is a 5,000 sq ft community mural on 3 perpendicular walls of a publicly accessible parking lot. The mural involved dozens of Bay Area organizations, including Palestinian-led and Palestine solidarity groups, an Indigenous Ohlone land trust, prison abolitionist groups, and more. The content was designed and painted by local, international, and incarcerated artists, including hundreds of community members as well as legends like Black Panther Minister of Culture Emory Douglas and artists from Gaza and the West Bank.
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This unprecedented collaboration between artists, activists, and artist-activists explores and confronts the deep interconnections between the brutal systems of imprisonment in the U.S. and Palestine. In both of these places, creating art is often a political act and a testament to the imagination, brilliance, and creativity of people’s resistance to oppression, even behind bars. At this time, as death and destruction rain down on the people of Gaza and Palestine, painting this mural together as a community affirmed our persistent collective commitment to resistance and liberation. The mural's title, SUMUD, is an Arabic word meaning "the steadfast will to survive, endure, and remain connected to the land."
This project was truly a hybrid of public art and organizing — two incredibly difficult endeavors. I am amazed at what people created together: a galvanizing reminder of past and present resistance, a hopeful vision of the future we are working toward, a visual tool for public political education, and a vibrant space to hold organizing events where that resistance, visioning, and education can take place.
For me, painting at the mural was a small respite from the devastating world around us — and a third place that forged relationships and community that can combat that devastation and build something new. I looked forward to going nearly everyday during periods of summer 2024 to meet new people and paint a new small part of a larger whole.
In 13 days in August, I painted an entire 9ft-tall spoon — 1 of 8 that collectively pay tribute to Palestinian prisoners. The spoon I painted, located on the west wall, envisions the freedom of prisoners from California to Palestine. I deeply appreciate the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and the Palestinian Feminist Collective for trusting me to realize their concept.
THESE CHAINS WILL BE BROKEN - FREE ALL WOMEN PRISONERS!
AND THE WALL OF SPOONS (WEST WALL)
The west wall is inspired by the Gilboa Prison Break in 2021, when six Palestinian prisoners dug their way out of Israel's highest security prison using nothing but spoons. Similarly to the rocks of the first wall, each spoon contains a scene designed by local organizations and artists representing an aspect of struggle. “Sumud” is written in Arabic on the background of this wall (صمود).
In 13 days in August, I painted an entire 9ft-tall spoon — 1 of 8 that collectively pay tribute to Palestinian prisoners. The spoon I painted, located on the west wall, envisions the freedom of prisoners from California to Palestine, paying homage to Palestinian prisoner Fatima Bernawi and referencing U.S. prisoners Assata Shakur and George Jackson, who died with Palestinian poet Samih Al Qasim's Enemy of the Sun in his cell. I deeply appreciate the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and the Palestinian Feminist Collective for trusting me to realize their concept. Read their description here.
THE WALL OF STONES (EAST WALL)
The east wall, an iteration of Free the Land! By Any Means Necessary (2013) by Emory Douglas, incorporates rocks slingshotting towards progress, symbolizing the commitment and resilience of Palestinians in their struggle for liberation. Each 10+ft-wide rock serves as a frame for a different scene of steadfast struggle, designed collaboratively by Bay Area organizations and artists. The word “Sumud” is written in English in the background of the rock scenes.
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In just one day, I drew and painted the figures and banner on the Bay Area for Palestine rock, representing 5 Bay Area organizations that shut down the Bay Bridge on the eve of international political and financial leaders descending on San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 16, 2023.
In just one day, I drew and painted the figures and banner on the Bay Area for Palestine rock.
THE LIBERATION WALL (SOUTH WALL)
The central south wall, connecting the first two walls, is inspired by the common traditional and cultural practices of Ohlone and Palestinian people, the struggle for land and traditional ways of life. The oak tree symbolizes the joint liberation of Huichin (the Indigenous name for the site of the mural) and Palestine. Freedom is written in English and Arabic, and the Arabic word for “return” is written in the key (عودة).
I painted several parts of this wall, including the birds, parts of the scenes in the leaves, the acorns and leaves, and more.
COMMUNITY MURAL UNVEILING
The community mural launch was a beautiful, vibrant gathering complete with speeches from participating artists and organizers (including incarcerated ones), performances by a Palestinian dabke troupe and Indigenous Ohlone dancers, screenprinting, handmade craft vendors, Palestinian and Mexican food, a kids play area with childcare, and crafting stations, including kite- and jewelry-making. There was also a in-depth tour of the mural, where each artist and representatives from participating organizations shared the concept behind their contributions. More than 300 people — community members of all ages and backgrounds — were in attendance.
Revolutionary artist and Black Panther Minister of Culture Emory Douglas giving a speech
Two members of the Palestinian Feminist Collective with my painting
A muralist and organizer with Palestinian Youth Movement explains the Liberation Wall to a captivated audience
