Abilene, Texas (KTAB / KRBC) – It was just over two weeks ago that a new mural was added to the artwork in Abilene. The artist was sent to paint a scene showing Charlie Kirk and other causes, but now the idea is causing some controversy, and the public is talking about social media.
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ME Muralist Jennifer Lofton said she was asked to make the trip from her home in Montana to Abilene to paint a mural by the Facebook ‘Abilene Penny Press.’ Not knowing the values of kirk stood, he researched, found ideas that resonated with him, and agreed to create murals.
“I saw him and I saw him, I saw like a few videos of him … He was talking about Jesus and he wanted to spread the faith and his things like that. So, I wanted to paint him,” Lofton said.
The mural also shed light on other tragedies, which could cause disagreements within the community.
“Another tragedy that was represented, like victims of floods, domestic violence, victims of suicide. So, there we were going to put what informed you with paint,” said Lofton.
The mural also included signs of children representing the lives lost in the Uvaldde shooting, which some families disagreed with.
“I didn’t know that some of the parents at Uvaldde not only loved him but talked about him openly many times,” said Lofton. “I didn’t know that the Uvalde part of it was going to make such a big deal, and when some of the parents were upset about it, I just agreed to fix it for the kids or move Kirk or move Kirk to another wall.”
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During the planning phase of the mural, Lofton said she will be given donations collected from the community by Cynthia Alvidrez through the Abilene Penny Press Facebook Page when she arrives. Although he received donated items, he said he did not receive any money.
“[Alvidrez] he said there will be donations and offerings. I think he called them in-kind donations, basically like a painting grant,” Lofton explained. Whenever I got there, he posted on his page, asking for donations and asking for donations and asking for donations and asking for donations and asking permission. When did I realize that many people didn’t even want Charlie Kirk to paint in Abilene. “
Although the mural has seen backlash online, some residents, like Leaia Williams, said they still see the intended message behind it.
“I think people want to give you less power than it is and maybe it makes their narrative. But also, the way I see it is respect for human life, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Williams. “I felt like it was a good thing. I think that even though this situation was a very sad thing, it’s good to see the community coming together, respecting human life.”
The mural is set to stay up, according to the business owner, but changes can be made. Alvidrez did not wish to comment on the matter.
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