Rush City mayor calls emergency meeting on diversity mural

[sarisataka]

Rush City mayor calls emergency meeting on diversity mural

The mayor of Rush City has called a special City Council meeting to discuss a mural that celebrates diversity. 

The new mural is on the exterior of a hair salon in Rush City, located in Chisago County. The mural has created some controversy, and the city issued a zoning violation notice about it.

City leaders insist the mural is not authorized under local statutes and have ordered the business to remove it. But the owners argue, the painting sends a message of inclusivity and unity, and they are not touching it.

Now, Rush City Mayor Dan Dahlberg has called a special meeting of the City Council to "discuss" the zoning violation the city issued. The meeting will be held on November 7. 

Meanwhile, a "Save the Wall" rally is planned for Saturday. 

https://www.fox9.com/news/rush-city-mayor-calls-emergency-meeting-on-diversity-mural

Road trip- Saturday

[Dustlawyer]

1. 1st Amendment!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Under the city charter, if the code doesn't address it, it's prohibited.

The mayor said he doesn't see a problem with it but the code is the code; I would expect the special meeting to clear it. There doesn't seem to be any public complaint about it -- the only "controversy" is that the city's hands are tied by its charter, that's it.

[EYESORE 9001]

3. Stay safe out there

Who knows what variety of vermin may show up with violent intentions.

[sarisataka]

7. I am a man of peace

Who has training and experience in the arts of violence.

Avoidance, deterrence, de-escalation is always come first. Overwhelming response is the final option.

[MLAA]

4. Beautiful mural.

[RainCaster]

5. Nice mural! Shown here

[geardaddy]

6. Beautiful!

[Bermudabeaver]

8. It's a rally not a protest

Remember people, the Saturday Rally is to support our cause of freedom of expression. We are not there to protest, fight or be against any cause. I think this makes a world of a difference to know. Keyword, support. Not protest against.

[LNM]

10. Welcome to DU!

[gopiscrap]

12. welcome to DU

[KS Toronado]

9. Believe this is Rush City Minnesota

If anyone wants to go.

[sarisataka]

11. Saturday's rally was canceled however

it had the desired effect.

Rush City Council votes to allow mural after public input, review city code

At a special city council meeting in Rush City on Monday afternoon, a mural on the town’s Main Street loomed large over their small Chisago County community.

Owners of the Hairdo Or Dye Salon, Erin and Jason Oare commissioned the art in an effort to promote diversity and unity in rural Minnesota. But then they received a letter informing them the art was a violation of a local ordinance that could lead to fines or jail time.

From there, their options were clear: paint over the mural or face criminal charges. But the Oares decided that was a misuse of power and a violation of their freedom of speech.

"It’s been emotional because it’s a hard battle to fight… I expected there would be a little bit of a fight. I did not think it would be this extreme, or it would blow up like this." Erin Oare told FOX 9 on Monday. "Anyone who knows us will know that our intent was never to hurt or cause problems. It was to push for unity."

https://www.fox9.com/news/rush-city-council-votes-to-allow-mural-after-public-input-review-city-code