A few days have passed since my return from the Democratic National Convention, and reflecting on the experience, I feel like I could have soared there without a plane. The convention was so filled with exhilarating joy that it felt like having wings.
My organization, People for the American Way, eagerly showcased posters at the event, designed by Victoria Cassinova. These posters, emblazoned with a portrait of Kamala Harris and the word “Freedom,” symbolized our pride and hope for the campaign.
We delighted in posting these vibrant posters around the city, and it was rewarding to see many residents and convention attendees admiring and photographing them, with Rep. Ayanna Pressley even sharing hers on Instagram.
The joy of displaying Kamala Harris posters at the DNC turned to dismay when vandals defaced them with red spray paint
However, on the third night of the convention, a disheartening incident occurred. A group calling themselves Artists for Kennedy and Trump defaced several of our Harris portraits.
In a video, the vandals were seen spray-painting red streaks over the portraits, focusing on the faces and eyes, while using terms like “war” to describe their actions. This vandalism served as a stark reminder of the challenges we face in this race. To counteract this negativity, we must remember that destruction is easy, but it takes true artistry to create.
We have had enough of authoritarian attempts to suppress art, ban books, and undermine our joy. Art not only brings pleasure but also empowers us to confront injustice and resist oppression, which is why history’s dictators have sought to control and eliminate artistic expression.
Today, artists face threats not only from vandals but also from powerful figures behind Project 2025, who aim to discredit and suppress numerous artworks by labeling them as “pornography.” Far-right groups, including Moms for Liberty, target writers like Toni Morrison and Judy Blume and oppose drag shows, a vibrant form of entertainment.
The true agenda of these censors is about power, not taste. The vandalism in Chicago also highlights the MAGA agenda’s focus on destruction rather than creation, and on restricting rights instead of expanding them. Their campaign slogan, centered on doing things “again,” signifies a regression rather than progress.
Although some voters are drawn to this backward-looking agenda, and wealthy backers are heavily invested in it, Democrats must remain vigilant. This election is likely to be tight and fiercely contested, and with Harris’s rising poll numbers, many voters are only beginning to engage.
To defeat Donald Trump and Project 2025 and elect the forward-thinking Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket, we must organize relentlessly until Election Day. As Sen. Raphael Warnock advised: “Talk to everybody,” including disenchanted or former Republicans seen on the DNC stage.
Victoria Cassinova’s post on Instagram, following the vandalism, encapsulates our resolve: “It’s disappointing to see how far the right will go to try and stop momentum, but I’ve survived worse than a bit of vandalism. Dialogue, not destruction, leads to progress.”
Dialogue is essential. If those with red spray paint appear again, I’ll be ready to engage them.
