Sound Transit Murals Damaged In Downtown Federal Way

FEDERAL WAY, WA — A group of local artists is working to restore several temporary murals that were vandalized near the future light rail station in downtown Federal Way. Sound Transit said the damage was suspected to be racially motivated and pledged to install new safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"We won't let this cowardly act of vandalism threaten people's ability to benefit from the important work of these artists," said Ron Lewis, an executive director for Sound Transit. "Following our nation's long history of racism and unfair treatment of black people and other people of color it is critical for us to show support for change."

The 35 murals were recently installed outside the construction site for the light rail station, and created by local artists Jasmine Iona Brown, Toka Valu, Lauren Iida, Tiffany Hammonds, Sabah Al-Dhaher and Barry Johnson. The art pieces were slashed on the night of Aug. 20.

"This is not the first time my work, that often centers on Black subjects has been slashed," Brown said. "Harsh realities like this are disappointing, but it only strengthens my resolve to continue creating this work."

Sound Transit said it would work with its security team, city officials and construction contractor to boost security and surveillance, and called on anyone with information on the perpetrator to report it. Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said an investigation is underway.

"This kind of criminal activity will not be tolerated in Federal Way, and we will do our best to identify and hold the individuals responsible for this act accountable," Ferrell said. "These works of art belong to the people of our city, and we're going to do everything we can to protect them."