New York City

Jersey City Under Fire for Altering Street Art Depicting Man Behind Bars

A New Jersey city has come under fire for changing a 33-foot, city-commissioned Monopoly board mural that originally depicted a man behind bars.

The street art debuted in Jersey City in May. The Jersey Journal reports it was repainted to a solid block of orange paint last week after some residents questioned whether the original image was racist.

The artist, who is Puerto Rican and Italian, has said the man behind bars is a self-portrait.

The alteration faces more questions as some say the artist's First Amendment rights were violated.

Karin Bravin, an artist who operates a New York City gallery, says the artist has a "moral right to express himself'' once commissioned for public art projects.

Democratic Assemblywoman Angela McKnight says what the viewers see matters.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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