Elgin Surprised By Lynch-Mob Image In Diversity Mural
(CBS) – A mural in the heart of downtown Elgin created about a decade ago is now stirring up controversy.
The painting by David Powers is a replica of a picture taken in 1930: a crowd watching a lynching of two black men in Indiana.
"It wasn't until somebody posted on social media a couple of days ago that we saw the relationship between the picture and the painting," Kristine Rogowski, city of Elgin communications director, tells CBS 2's Sandra Torres.
A group upset about the context of the mural placed signs on it this afternoon. They say "Take it down now."
Even though city officials say the artist meant for it to celebrate Elgin's diversity and culture, some residents say that's not acceptable.
The city of Elgin plans to have two meetings in June to determine what's going to happen with the mural. They say community feedback will be crucial to make a decision.