LOS ANGELES – In an eleventh hour decision on Friday the appellate court
stayed the criminal trial of the Statue of Liberty, while it considers the
constitutionality of the ordinances under which artist Mike McNeilly is
being prosecuted.
Memorial Day — Artist Mike McNeilly has covered “Liberty Censored” with a
new canvas entitled “Liberty 2000.” The artwork depicts Liberty gazing
upward
against a background of the Constitution with ghostly images of Iwo Jima,
the
Vietnam Memorial, a Lone Jet Fighter and the Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
The censorship effort is led by Los Angeles Councilman Feuer. Artist Mike
McNeilly added the “CENSORED” banner as a protest to what he sees as a
threat
to our rights and the abuse of government power. Feuer states: “In my
district, people know better than to propose these things.”
The trial of artist Mike McNeilly for painting a 12 story mural titled
“Liberty” (intended as a tribute to America’s Veterans) at 10921 Wilshire
Blvd., began Friday, May 26th, at 8:30 am, in the Los Angeles Criminal
Court,
Airport Branch, 11701 So. La Cienega, Division 146. The painting depicts a
close up of the Statue of Liberty overlooking the Los Angeles National
Veteran’s Cemetery.
The artist was ordered to stop painting after only one day (February 21st
1999) or face immediate arrest by the eight police officers sent by Feuer to
stop the completion of “Liberty.” Criminal charges were filed by the L.A.
City Attorney’s office and after fifteen months of pre-trial hearings, the
“Liberty” case is now in trial. The artist faces up to six months in jail
and
fines for each of the five charges.
Artist Mike McNeilly’s statement: “This is a clear case of prior
restraint by government officials which violates our first amendment rights.
The Criminalization of painting the Statue of Liberty in the United States
of
America is wrong. This is a political and ideological message. This
message
is non commercial. This is an exercise in free speech protected by the Bill
of Rights, the First Amendment and LAMC 91.6201.1 LAMC 91.6216.1 LAMC
926205.1
Political, ideological or non commercial messages are exempt from permits.”
