In the summer of 2002, seven diverse graphic artists collaborated with Figueroa Corridor activists to produce posters that reflect the vision, values, and goals of efforts to protect the community from displacement.

This effort involved collaboration with Self-Help Graphics , a nationally acclaimed community arts program in East Los Angeles, and the Center for the Study of Political Graphics, the largest collection of political posters in the country.

Artists pulled their prints at Self-Help's graphic studio and got support in using the seriograph medium from master printer Joe Alpuche.

"They Mistook the Determination in Our Eyes for Hopelessness"- WESTON TERUYA

Artist Statement: To put it simply, this print was inspired by and created for the residents of the Figueroa Corridor area of Los Angeles as they struggle for their homes and dignity in the face of gentrification. In conversations with some residents, it became clear that there was a great deal of frustration that while they lived in direct view of the heart of LA's financial district, they felt very marginalized from any decision-making processes and power.

Therefore I felt it very important to feature the residents, represented by the woman and her child at the center of the piece; further accentuated by the fish-eye like distortion of perspective. The representations of financial power - the stamp-like men in suits - are mariginal and partly obscured. Their clone-like appearance accentuates the homogenizing effect of gentrification - the displacement of locally-owned businesses in favor of corporate mono-culture.

The statement "Si No Hay Lucha, No Hay Victoria", was taken directly from transcribed conversations amongst residents and represents their passion and determination to keep their homes and take back their voices.

"The Key"- JEROLYN CRUTE

 Artist Statement: Image designed for the "We Shall Not Be Moved" project with anti-gentrification theme. The Community is protecting their homes from greedy big business.

Although big business has City Hall in its pocket, the community has access as well if they pull the string. The struggle to gain control, represented by the key, is up in the air.
crute.studio@verizon.net

"Community Control of the Land"- FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ

 Artist Statement: Housing is a human right. For many communities of color, the issue of land and housing is one that dates back to over 500 years, beginning with the rape of Indian land by white colonizers, the theft of Mexican territories, the racist policies that prohibited black people from owning land.

Today, working class people of color are at the mercy of big business and corporate greed, which exploit the land for profit and destroy communities. The basic demand for community control of the land, which as set forth by our revolutionary predecessors, is still relevant to us today. The Figueroa Corridor in downtown Los Angeles is in a large battle with city redevelopers and big business over what is to be done with the land.

This poster is a tool to organize the community, because the power of images surpasses words. As a community artist, it is an honor for me to create this piece against gentrification.
www.favianna.com

"Respect" - RICARDO MENDOZA

 Artist Statement: The theme was developed from the goal to serve as a dialogue for both the oppressor and the oppressed ­ the developer/landlords and the resident tenants. I wanted to present illegal evictions as an un-American act in response to the often one-sided patriotism experienced today. The tenants in the silhouette are depicted as standing up to the developer, which is the looming large figure with the football head. He is, however, vulnerable in that he is being pulled by the figure representing "Justice and Dignity". Her roots are being eaten away by termites representing "indifference" and "greed."

"No Más Tratos" - GARLAND KIRKPATRICK

 Artist Statement: Brown and black fists join in community solidarity against corporate interests and specifically corporate control of affordable housing.
www.helveticajones.com

"No Bullshit" - THINK AGAIN (David Attyah, Shelly Bachman)

 Artist Statement: An invasion of doorknobs gathering to resist displacement and eviction.
www.agitart.org

"Cliché Inversion" - MARK YOUNG AKA MEMPHIS

 Artist Statement: Cliché Inversion takes the familiar cliché, "Mi Casa es Tu Casa," and flips it to now say, "Tu Casa es Mi Casa." This statement is the pigs spin in the phrase as he has scaled up a tree and kicked out its inhabitants (a small canary) and its unhatched siblings, with no regard to the fact that the birds were there first - to say nothing of the fact that in general, trees are homes to birds, even squirrels, but never pigs.

Symbolically, the pig with his football helmet represents the greed of capitalistic developers - specifically the powers that are behind the football stadium currently being proposed for downtown Los Angeles.

The hapless canary is both bewildered and angry at this hostile takeover. The canary represents the people who live in the proposed stadium site.
www.memphisfineart.com