A Joe Biden mural in the US President’s ancestral town of Ballina has become a “source of shame” and should be taken down, a pro-Palestine group has said.
The artwork was put up to honour the 46th President of the United States ahead of his visit to Mayo in 2023.
President Biden has often spoken of his pride in his Mayo ancestors; however, the Ballina mural was last year defaced with pro-Gaza slogans.
Now, a petition to have the mural removed has been signed by over 2,500 people – with the Mayo Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign claiming people have lost respect for the US president because of his support for Israel.
My trip home to Ireland embodied céad míle fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes.
It’s been great to see so many old friends and family – and make some new ones.
Like my Grandfather used to say: “If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough.” pic.twitter.com/cgXDMQkPRn
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 14, 2023
“Joe Biden isn’t just some sort of passive actor in this whole genocide that we’re seeing unfolding,” spokesperson Ann De Burca told Newstalk Breakfast.
“In fact, his administration has blocked several ceasefire resolutions at the UN over the past year.
“He has bypassed Congress on several occasions to send more and more weapons to Israel - which includes 2,000-pound bunker busting bombs to be used on a population of mainly children and civilians.”
US President Joe Biden addressing crowds from outside St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina, Co Mayo. Picture by: The White HouseMs De Burca described US support for Israel as an “abomination” and said the conflict had changed how people viewed the town’s mural.
“What was a source of pride for many people in Ballina, has now become a source of shame,” she said.
Ms De Burca said she believes the mural should be taken down because of who it portrays but in reality, it will likely be removed due to planning laws.
“There was no planning permission sought for this,” she said.
“There has actually been a warning issued to the people who put it up to take it down.
“I believe we will see it taken down in the next few weeks - simply on the basis of planning.
“Our group would argue it should have been taken down on the basis of principle; putting somebody up in a prominent place in a town - that’s glorification.”
US President Joe Biden arrives at St. Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina, County Mayo. 8/4/23 Image: Official White House Photo by Katie RicksMs De Burca said there are other people who the town should choose to honour with a mural.
“There’s plenty of people with great principles, people from Mayo and people in the diaspora from Mayo who have done great things all over this world,” she said.
“Put them up, don’t put up somebody who is supporting and taking an active part in a genocide of mainly children.”
President Biden will leave office on January 20th next year.
Main images shows the mural of Joe Biden in his ancestral home of Ballina. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
