A mural that paid tribute to a man who was killed in a racist attack has been defaced with graffiti just over a year after it was first unveiled in Easton. Rebecca Yeo, who facilitated the mural, has asked staff at Easton Community Centre to collect donations to go towards the restoration of the artwork.
The collaborative project which was originally unveiled in December 2021 on Human Rights Day brought together Asylum Seekers and disabled activists in memory of Kamil Ahmed. Kamil Ahmed was stabbed in his own bedroom by his neighbour, while living in supported accommodation in Knowle in 2016.
Large sections of the mural which stretches across one side of Easton Community Centre are now completely submerged in graffiti. The markings all appear to be ‘tags’ which are pseudonyms used by those who habitually engage in graffiti. The mural which faces onto the Bristol to Bath railway path is located in an area of extensive graffiti.
READ MORE: Kamil Ahmed: Bristol asylum seeker murdered in racist attack remembered in new mural
The mural contains three plaques explaining the significance of the piece and why it was created. One of the plaques has been partially spray painted with some of the writing now hidden. It appears that some earlier graffiti had been cleaned up but is still partially visible.
Rebeca Yeo who facilitated the project said: “We would like to raise donations to fund us to repaint the mural higher up. This will need scaffolding.
“In part I think the current tagging reflects a need for more wall space for graffiti in Bristol. Everyone should have the right to express themselves but this shouldn’t be on top of messages from some of the most marginalized people in Bristol.”
Rebecca has been told by management at Easton Community Trust, who manage Easton Community Centre that they are happy to collect donations for the mural's restoration at their reception. The money raised would also go towards scaffolding that would allow the mural to be repainted higher up the wall of the Community Centre.
Graffiti can be reported to the police for investigation and applications can be made to Bristol City Council for graffiti to be removed. In 2017 a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that the annual cost for graffiti removal cost Bristol City Council a quarter of a million pounds , which was more than any other city in the UK.
Easton Community Trust, the charity who manage Easton Community Centre were approached for comment.
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