Signal Boost: The INSIDE OUT/Dreamers Project

At Mural Arts, we were so excited when we heard that the INSIDE OUT/Dreamers project was coming to Philadelphia—a global participatory art project from artist JR, this interactive traveling truck gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait to show support for the recently-rescinded DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). The project pays tribute to the power and dignity of individuals, calling for collective action around this issue and providing a platform for organizations and individuals to speak in support of Dreamers in their communities. As professional wall-spotters, we knew we had to lend a hand.

We’ve been involved in multiple projects over the years that deal with immigration policies and the undocumented experience, so this topic is close to our hearts. Back in the days of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, our History of Immigration mural on 2nd and Callowhill paid homage to centuries of immigration, showing how so many of us without native roots have ancestors who immigrated to the United States. In 2015, we did a massive wheatpaste installation with JR, the same artist behind the INSIDE OUT Project, drawing attention to the lack of mainstream conversation about real, human, individual immigrant experiences. And just recently, during our citywide Monument Lab project, we worked with local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz on Seguimos Caminando (We Keep Walking), which represented the voices of undocumented mothers detained with their children at the Berks Detention Center (in partnership with the Shut Down Berks Coalition).

We are proud to live and work in a sanctuary city, and we hope that we can continue to use our resources to support all the incredible organizations in Philadelphia that have been on the ground, doing the work to advocate for Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants. Here are just a few of the Philadelphians standing up, day after day, for this important issue:

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
GALAEI
HIAS Pennsylvania
Juntos
Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition (PICC)
Philadelphia New Sanctuary Movement