In a West Side neighborhood of Chicago, members of the Illinois chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) are opposed to a proposed second mural of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed in Charlotte, North Carolina last summer. The organization was alerted by Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th) about a request from a constituency to paint another mural in the North Center area, although it remains unclear if this new mural is connected to an existing one dedicated to Zarutska.
Zarutska, only 23 at the time of her death, became a symbol of tragedy as her case drew national attention. Prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, have linked her death to political discourse surrounding crime and justice systems. Amidst this backdrop, Dmytriv-Kapeniak, UCCA’s Illinois chapter president, expressed her outrage over the new mural request. She highlighted that no consultation took place with Zarutska’s family regarding the use of her image and name for such artistic endeavors.
Dmytriv-Kapeniak emphasized that genuine support for war refugees should go beyond symbolic gestures like a mural; it requires concrete action. The sentiment was echoed by Zoryana Smozhanyk, president of the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation, who critiqued the proposed mural as an exploitation of a tragic event for political and personal gain.
Since Zarutska’s death, murals have been erected in various cities across the United States, supported by a campaign from figures such as Elon Musk and Eoghan McCabe, CEO of Intercom. Such campaigns have sparked discussions about the appropriateness of using a deceased individual’s likeness for expressive purposes.
Despite the protests against the pending mural, legal experts believe that the First Amendment protections on free speech could make it challenging for the UCCA to effectively halt its creation. Brendan Healey, an attorney familiar with the Illinois Right of Publicity Act, noted that while the concerns over the artwork are valid, winning a legal battle against its creation would be difficult, as the murals likely fall within the realm of protected artistic expression.
Amid the legal complexities, the UCCA has begun drafting letters to local officials and is planning a meeting to voice their concerns, though they are currently not pursuing legal action. They remain focused on encouraging respectful and meaningful actions to support those affected by war, rather than utilizing their experiences for political exploitation.
This situation highlights the delicate balance between artistic expression and respect for individuals’ legacies, especially in the wake of tragedy. As discussions evolve, the hope remains that communities can find more authentic ways to honor and support those impacted by such devastating circumstances.