[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] giant mural of Ava Gardner in Koreatown will be painted over because of its similarity to an offensive Japanese symbol from the second World War. The process will cost $20,000, according to officials at the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, where the colorful mural is splashed outside the gym.
The decision to paint over the barely 2-year-old mural was “unilaterally decided” by L.A. Schools Superintendent Austin Beutner, according to the National Coalition Against Censorship, which strongly opposes the decision.
Protests lead by the Wilshire Community Coalition persuaded LAUSD to paint over the mural. Roberto Martinez, senior school district administrator, told the L.A. Times that the mural will be painted over when school is out for winter break.
Artist Beau Stanton, created the mural at the at as an homage to the Cocoanut Grove’s Hollywood history, but for some members of the community, the mural also brings a different side of history that is more painful. The rays remind protestors of Japanese atrocities against Koreans in World War II.