Which Way, L.A.?
Is the Moratorium on Murals Killing an LA Tradition?
The local tradition of murals started in East LA, and has moved all the way to West Hollywood. In between, the City of Los Angeles tries to preserve older works as relics of culture...
By Warren Olney • • 57m ListenThe local tradition of outdoor murals started in East LA, and it's moved all the way to fashionable West Hollywood. In between, the City of Los Angeles tries to preserve older works as relics of culture. But new ones have run afoul of the anti-billboard ordinance, and City Hall paints them over, often at taxpayer expense. We try to unravel the contradictions. Also, two cops face criminal charges in the beating death of a homeless, mentally-ill man in Fullerton. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, President Obama addresses the United Nations as Palestinians seek UN membership.
In this episode
3 storiesOC DA Files Murder Charges in Kelly Thomas Beating
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has charged two Fullerton police officers with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The victim was 37-year old Kelly Tomas , who was homeless and mentally ill. On July 5, he was beaten and repeatedly shocked with a Taser at a downtown bus station.
Read the story10 minIs LA Squelching Public Art?
On Monday of this week, no less than five skywriting airplanes spelled out the words, "End Mural Moratorium. Art is Not a Crime. Twitter at End Mural Moratorium." Along with the names of several street artists, those words were very clear and visible over City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Read the story22 minObama Addresses the UN as Palestinians Seek UN Membership
Last year, President Obama called for a Palestinian State with membership in the United Nations. Today, in a speech at the UN where US and European leaders are struggling to head off a confrontation over Palestinian demands for statehood, he conceded that hasn't happened, and repeated the phrase, "peace is hard."
Read the story26 min
