DC graffiti mural meant to promote ‘humanity’ now at the center of legal fight

Federal lawsuit filed over DC graffiti, but maybe not for the reason you think In 1992, artists were given permission to create a first-of-its-kind mural on the side of a building on P Street NW in D.C. Now, the latest version of “The Humanity Wall” is at the center of a legal battle. The original mural had messages on it like, “Education is Action!” and “Before you’re a color, first you’re human. Teachin’ humanity is what we’re doing,” quoting KRS-One’s “Heal Yourself.” In 2001, a group of artists, including Robert Gastman of California, painted a new mural there, only keeping the word “humanity” from the original incarnation. The 2001 iteration had a “Wizard of Oz” theme complete with flying monkeys and characters on a yellow brick road. Earlier this year, a group of artists — including some involved in the original 1992 mural, and some reportedly involved in helping Gastman paint the 2001 mural — came together and painted something brand new. But, Gastman has now filed a suit against D.C. artist Cory Stowers over the new mural, with a list of names expected to be added to the lawsuit in the future, claiming copyright violation. In the complaint, which...