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Video: Clifton mural of unity to come down after controversy

The City of Clifton approved the mural, but the wall belongs to the New Jersey Turnpike/Garden State Parkway Authority, which does not allow murals.

Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com

CLIFTON A year after the city angered many by partially painting over a diversity mural, it has created an advisory committee on civil rights.

The impetus to form the committee is a result of the city's decision to paint over the raised fist portion of the mural on the Garden State Parkway underpass on Allwood Roadas a result of complaints from residents.

The mural, which features arms of different skin colors holding hands and making a heart symbol, as well as the raised fist, was painted shortly after the rallies and protests by Black Lives Matter groups in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer.

After the fist was painted over, many expressed anger with city officials.

Resident Ray Robitello said the city's overreaction proved the need for a civil rights committee.

"Montclair has one; so does Rutherford," Robitello said, adding that Clifton, having 90,000 residents and being one of the most diverse communities, ought to have one.

Story continues below mural.

"It is a way to mitigate problems if handled correctly," he said.

Now that it has been approved, the city will seek to fill the committee by appointing 32 permanent and alternate members for the 16 sections of the city. The group will serve in an advisory role and report to the City Council and Manager Nick Villano.

The sections include Albion, Allwood, Athenia, Botany East, Clifton Center/Middle Village, Delawanna, Dutch Hill, Greglawn, Hazel, Lakeview, Maple Valley, Montclair Heights, Oakridge, Richfield and Rosemawr.

Mayor James Anzaldi said the City Council will have to get busy recruiting members.

"So far I only had one person show interest," the mayor said.

The hope is that by reaching into the city's various neighborhoods, the committee will attract members of underrepresented communities.

Councilwoman Rosemary Pino, who pushed for the committee, said members will serve for two years.

"We wanted to keep it fresh, so committee members are limited to two consecutive terms," she said. After two years off the committee, Pino said, members may apply to serve again.

Council members unanimously supported the measure, and Councilman Bill Gibson said it can be effective "providing you have the right people."

Fahim Abedrabbo, a school board trustee and candidate for City Council, said he "applauds the council" for setting up the committee.

"It's a good first step," he said, "but what's next?"

Unless the council is willing to follow up and take action, it is just a feel-good measure, he added.

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Local artist May Yuasa asked to paint a mural in her hometown, Villano gave permission, and the city even bought the paintand had public works crews prepare the underpass surface on Allwood Road for painting.

Both Yuasa and Villano believed the mural would serve as a sign of unity. The city has in the past approved murals on other underpasses.

After Yuasapainted the images, including the arms of different skin colors and the fist, some members of the communitycomplained about the "symbolism" of the raised fist, which has become associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Villano, after much back and forth, had the fist painted over, a decision he later said was not the right one.

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Clifton forms civil rights committee in response to diversity mural backlash - NorthJersey.com