Category Archives: Freedom

I spent last Sunday afternoon sitting in my sons back pasture in a camp chair, a soda in my hand, my eyes on the skies. Weve never braved the massive crowds that gather at Hill Air Force Bases air show to view the grounded jets, talk to the pilots, watch the sky show, see the displays and immerse ourselves in that noisy, crazy event. But years ago we discovered that from our sons pasture we can watch not only all the sky acrobatics the pilots perform, but also their impressive maneuverings as they line up off field to come screaming in at perfect formation over the vast throngs on the bases tarmac.

Those pilots are talented, skilled speed junkies whove earned the right to go as fast as they want. Their adoring crowds risk temporary hearing loss from the roar of jets scooting above them at 125 feet just to watch those super stars in action.

I deeply admire those pilots now. But this wasnt always the case. In fact, years ago those pilots and their fancy flying fleet unintentionally struck unbearable regret into my heart as surely as if theyd shot me with a missile.

In 1995, the air show was held in August. That same weekend, my family moved from a quiet, non-military, farming-type valley up north to our new dream home in the metropolis of Layton, Utah. Our kids were young, we were young parents and we had found the perfect place to live the home we had dreamed of and worked toward for years. We were certain it would be our new Eden.

That dream took a direct hit the day we moved here.

As non-military people, wed never lived in an Air Force base town before. We hadnt experienced the sounds of freedom as patriots here refer to the noise of jets flying overhead so loudly that you automatically halt conversation until they pass.

So when our moving van pulled up that fated Saturday morning, we began hauling our belongings into our new home, initially unaware of the rumble of jets in the skies. But by late afternoon, we were aware of them painfully aware that jets were swooping and circling above our home, leaving plumes behind them in lovely designs that did not entertain us at all. With sinking hearts we watched the jets scream by, some shockingly close, all unbearably noisy to a family who had never heard one before.

We made the very incorrect assumption that our new, perfect home was built in the flight path of the Bases incoming and outgoing jets, and we were in trouble. That thought ejected our previous happiness right out the window and replaced it with a gnawing, horrific belief that our lives would be filled with jets screaming above us daily, and wed live with that noise forever.

That evening, long after the last jet trail faded from the sky, I laid awake sobbing because of the terrible mistake I thought wed made. How could we have been so foolish? How did we miss something so significant? What effect would all that noise have on our family? Would we ever grow used to it? And should we? How in the world did other people in our neighborhood live like this?

When Monday came and no jets screamed in the skies above us, we wondered what was going on. We bought a local newspaper and discovered the error of our assumption in all the glowing reports of the air show. Its an understatement to say there was great rejoicing in the Brown household that day.

Since then, weve come to appreciate those jets flying overhead. OK, maybe not the night runs. But still, there is a deep comfort in knowing those guardians are up there training, perfecting and protecting us all.

This transplant has grown to love the sights and sounds of the air show now because its exciting, professional and impressive and lasts just two days.

D. Louise Brown lives in Layton. She writes a biweekly column for the Standard-Examiner.

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The Homefront: Learning to love 'the sound of freedom' - Standard-Examiner

How ironic.

The overturning of my and all womens 50-year Constitutional right to make personal health decisions follows the same week of the second year national celebration of Juneteenth, the celebration of the Galveston, Texas slaves who learned that Lincoln had abolished slavery two years before.

Yes, the Constitutional right that I, a woman, finally won almost 50 years ago that recognized me and my body as equal to that of mens, is now gone.

In the years preceding Roe vs. Wade, I and all women had to live with the horrible knowledge that should we become pregnant, no matter the reason of incest, rape, medical problems or an unwanted child, there were two avenues: carry that pregnancy or find a way, illegal way, to terminate the pregnancy.

My story is similar to many women. I was in mid-20s, engaged to my former husband, and we were both, yes, both using contraceptives, but somehow we got pregnant anyway, an unwanted pregnancy because we were not ready to become parents.

Had it not been for a dear friend who somehow knew how to obtain a blackmarket pill, my life and my ex-husbands would have had a very different, negative outcome.

Hear me well, foes of abortion. I respect your understanding and you can live your life with that choice.

But, and hear me well, you and the (primarily) white men who have determined that the government will now decide how I make personal decisions regarding my body, my daughters bodies and all womens bodies. Oh, no, friends, this will not stand.

And if you believe that this is the only freedom that has been taken away from us women, think again. Read Justice Thomas words that contraception and gay rights are open to being overturned.

What is happening to freedom in our country? My freedom to make personal decisions.

As Justice Sotomayor wrote, it is a sad day for freedom.

You will find me on the lines to get out the vote in November. That is the only way we will get back on the road to our freedoms as equal citizens.

Nancy C. BryantNorwood

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Freedom is gone - The Stanly News & Press | The Stanly News & Press - Stanly News & Press

Newton has an appetite for combating racial injustice, Adams said, but the racial reckoning the nation pushed for after George Floyds death is not complete.

Its important to move forward, while keeping the past in mind, he said.

Some attendees sat and watched the performances and speeches, while others grabbed a bite to eat from the Kreyol food truck or walked along the perimeter of the schools pickup and dropoff circle, stopping at tables to browse goods such as jewelry and art.

Juneteenth is such a special day. Im really glad to see the community show up, said Marie-France Noel, founder of lifestyle brand KADOKL.

Newton North High School student volunteer Sara Warner-Dorval said she thinks it was important for the government to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday.

July 4 doesnt really represent freedom for the Black community, but June 19 is a day all Americans can celebrate, she said. I think a lot of people didnt really understand what Juneteenth was a couple years ago.

This years turnout was good, Warner-Dorval said, though she noted there were few high school students at the event.

Adams said engaging students is one of the Families Organizing for Racial Justices key challenges and an area of focus.

We have a great relationship with the schools, weve worked with various affinity groups, and we have really gone out of our way to expand our work to the greater Boston area.

Adams said Families Organizing for Racial Justice is looking to collaborate with surrounding communities on projects and expand its reach, so Black students in Newton can connect with other Black students from neighboring cities as well.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union Army officer arrived in Galveston, Texas, about two months after the war ended and notified Black people they had been freed from slavery.

Since President Biden signed Juneteenth into federal law on June 17 of last year, some school districts across the country have acknowledged the holiday for the first time. About half of the states in this country do not recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday.

To be fair, I never learned about it in school. I had to learn about it from my parents, Warner-Dorval said. But I think people know more about Juneteenth now than ever before, and thats a great thing.

Antonia Quinn can be reached at newtonreport@globe.com.

Originally posted here:

Newton celebrates Juneteenth as 'a day of freedom and reflection' - The Boston Globe

In the face of U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Roe vs. Wade, California, Oregon and Washington will continue to be a safe haven for all people seeking abortions and other reproductive health care services in these states

SACRAMENTO The governors of California, Oregon and Washington today issued a Multi-State Commitment to defend access to reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, and committed to protecting patients and doctors against efforts by other states to export their abortion bans to our states.

This Multi-State Commitment affirms the governors commitment in response to the U.S. Supreme Courts unprecedented decision to strip away a constitutional right that has been in place for half a century, leaving abortion regulation to the states. The sweeping decision means that for patients in more than half the country, home to 33.6 million women, abortion care is illegal or inaccessible.

A copy of theMulti-State Commitment to Reproductive Freedom can be found here.

In avideo messagethe governors share a powerful message that the West Coast will remain a place where reproductive health care will be accessible and protected.

The Supreme Court has made it clear they want to strip women of their liberty and let Republican states replace it with mandated birth because the right to choose an abortion is not deeply rooted in history. They want to turn back the clock to a time when women had no right to make decisions about their own bodies, when women had to seek care in the shadows and at great danger, when women were not treated as equal citizens under the law. This is another devastating step toward erasing the rights and liberties Americans have fought for on battlefields, in courthouses and in capitols. This is not the America we know and its not the California way,said Governor Gavin Newsom. California has banded together with Oregon and Washington to stand up for women, and to protect access to reproductive health care. We will not sit on the sidelines and allow patients who seek reproductive care in our states or the doctors that provide that care to be intimidated with criminal prosecution. We refuse to go back and we will fight like hell to protect our rights and our values.

Abortion is health care, and no matter who you are or where you come from, Oregon doesnt turn away anyone seeking health care. Period. Let me be clear: You cannot ban abortion, you can only ban safe abortions and this disgraceful Supreme Court decision will undoubtedly put many peoples lives at risk, in addition to stripping away a constitutional right that disproportionately affects women and has been settled law for most of our lifetimes,said Governor Kate Brown. For all the Americans today feeling scared, angry and disappointed for everyone who needs an abortion and does not know where they can access safe reproductive health care please know you are not alone, and the fight is not over.

The law remains unchanged in Washington state, but the threat to patient access and privacy has never been more dangerous. Even in Washington state, Republicans have introduced about 40 bills in the past six years to roll back abortion rights and access to reproductive care,said Governor Jay Inslee. The right of choice should not depend on which party holds the majority, but thats where we find ourselves. More than half the nations population now lacks safe access to a medical procedure that only a patient and their doctor can and should make for themselves. Instead, law enforcement, vigilantes and judicial systems can force patients to bear the burdens of forced pregnancy and birth. Washington state remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the ability and right of every patient who comes to our state in need of abortion care, and we will fight like hell to restore that right to patients all across the country.

Over the past several years, each state has taken action to expand access to reproductive health care in preparation for just such a decision:

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West Coast States Launch New Multi-State Commitment to Reproductive Freedom, Standing United on Protecting Abortion Access | California Governor -...

After two years of reimagined celebrations, Shell Freedom Over Texas is returning to its full star-spangled glory with an in-person event featuring six hours of festivities along Allen Parkway. Last year, the virtual event included a special moment honoring frontline workers, and the traditional height of the fireworks was doubled to facilitate widespread viewing of the show.

This year, the Fourth of July celebration returns at full capacity to Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks on Buffalo Bayou, complete with live music and family-friendly activities. Kicking off the concert at the Shell Main Stage will be Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws, followed by Walker County and rapper/singer Blanco Brown. Later, a performance by Sawyer Brown will open for headliner Clay Walker. The evening concludes with a grand-finale fireworks show.

Festivities throughout the day include an All-American Kids Zone (a childrens entertainment area with a stage for performances), the Bud Light Seltzer Summer Sizzle, a Cool Zone with Houston professional sports teams, a Space City Experience, and a salute to all five branches of the military.

Shell Freedom Over Texas is one of my favorite signature events, and we are thrilled to announce the return of the popular family-friendly celebration, said Mayor Sylvester Turner in a statement. I invite everyone to come and enjoy the entertainment lineup, followed by the spectacular fireworks.

If you wish to skip the crowds and prefer a virtual option, ABC13 will host a live broadcast from 7 to 10 p.m. and also a livestream on abc13.com.

The fun happens Monday, July 4, 2022, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks. Admission is $10 per person online and at the gates; children ages 5 and under are free. The event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. Those who wish to volunteer will receive an official event T-shirt, free parking, and complimentary food and drinks.

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Shell Freedom Over Texas Returns to In-Person Celebration - Houstonia Magazine

Its a quiet(er) day here in soccer news, especially after D.C. United gave us three headlines in a day last week.

Taxi Fountas has continued showing his quality on the field. A fundamental difference maker, he scored D.C.s lone goal on Saturday against Nashville SC.

Unfortunately, the goals scored against the Black-and-Red set Hany Mukhtar up for MLS Team of the Week. No D.C. United Players made the XI or the bench this week.

Congratulations to D.C. United Academy players for their win against Lamorinda SC! We wish you all the best in the quarterfinals!

D.C. United hosted Play on the Pitch after Saturdays match. Youth teams gathered to play a small sided 5v5 tournament.

Since we cant brag enough about how amazing the Washington Spirit is, lets take a look at these familiar faces in the USWNT lineup from Saturday:

The USWNT plays again at 10 PM ET tonight!

Since we all need a lift this week, Ill just leave you with this gem...

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Tuesday Freedom Kicks: MLS Team of the Week, USWNT plays tonight, and more - Black And Red United

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IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

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Freedom in the West, but not for women - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Inspiration can be found in interesting places. For Macy Berendsen 24, inspiration came to her while studying abroad in Rome, where she became aware of the trash epidemic facing the city. As a journalism major with an interest in sustainability, this story was waiting for her to tell. After returning to Minnesota, her professor, Dr. Mark Neuil, encouraged Berendsen to submit her story for a Society of Environmental Journalists Press Freedom Award. She would go on to win the Student Press Freedom Day Op-Ed Contest.

As the first-prize winner, Berendsen had her piece published in SEJournal and took over the Society of Environmental Journalists Twitter account on May 3 (World Press Freedom Day). She also received a one-year SEJ student membership and a one-year full mentorship program in environmental journalism.

Berendsens talent has given her the ability to turn trash into treasure.

What inspired you to focus on Romes garbage issue for your piece?

I originally wrote this piece as part of a class for when I was studying abroad last fall as a student in the Rome Empower Program on the Bernardi Campus. I was in the Environmental Journalism class. For our last essay, we could pick whatever topic we wanted to focus on, and I chose the trash issue. It's so prominent in Rome it's literally everywhere. I wanted to read a little bit more about why it's like this and my professor, Dr. Mark Neuil, helped me out. He said, I think the Mafia is involved, so props to him for kind of giving me the story idea. I took that and used it as my topic.

How did you first become aware of the Mafias connection to waste management in Italy?

My professor was the one who told me about it. His wife was along with us during the program and she's very interested in the Mafia, so he pointed me to go talk to her. She and I talked about what resources could be used and why the Mafia is involved in garbage collection. So, I would have never known if he didn't point that out and I didn't get the resources from his wife.

Is there a specific moment from researching and writing this piece that really stood out to you?

Italy has the highest recycling rate in Europe, but it's obviously still very dirty especially in Rome and Sicily. However, in Florence for example, the city was very clean and very well taken care of. So, when I found out that Italy as a whole, was the No. 1 recycling and waste collection country in Europe after I had witnessed their huge issue, I was shocked.

How did it feel to have your work recognized when you won the national SEJ Press Freedom award?

It was great! Dr. Neuil was the one who sent me the email and said that I should apply. I just thought, OK, not really thinking much of it. He said that it would look good on your resume even if I didn't win. So, I was quite shocked when I got the email that I had won, but it feels really good to have my work recognized. In journalism and as a journalist, it can be difficult to get your work recognized because we're all kind of doing the same thing in a sense. It's nice to have someone appreciate your work, especially as a student, still trying to navigate what I want to do and find what my writing style is. It was so nice to have someone essentially say that I'm on the right track, my writing is good and I'm in a good spot. That's what I liked about and took from the win.

When did you develop a passion for journalism?

Well, when I was senior in high school and everyone had started to decide what theyre going to school for, I still didn't really know. I knew I wanted to continue reading and writing, since that's what I've always been good at and thats my thing. I picked journalism on a whim. I'm an English minor now, but I didnt want to pursue English as a major just because I felt like it was too broad, and I wanted something a little more specific where I could still tailor my reading and writing skills.

Are there any events/issues you would like to focus on after you graduate from St. Thomas?

I enjoy environmental journalism more than I thought I would, so I'd like to see where that goes. I would like to help bring more awareness to specific issues and I would like to focus more on women's issues within marginalized countries in terms of womens rights and care of menstrual-related hygiene and education on the topic. Unfortunately, there are a lot of marginalized women all over the world and a lot of issues regarding women. I would like to focus a lot on women's rights, especially now abortion rights.

How has your time at St. Thomas helped you grow as a journalist?

I definitely think that my involvement in TommieMedia has helped me a lot because I guess its my first taste of what being part of a news organization will be like. Again, when I picked journalism, I didn't really know exactly how my education would look, so being able to be a part of a mini-news organization which is replicating what it's going to be like after graduation. Its really helped me to discover different aspects of journalism like broadcasting, podcasting and whatnot. The professors in the Journalism Department are great, great people with a lot of great resources. They are very smart, very educated, and they have been around for quite some time, so they have a lot of valuable information. That's really helped me grow.

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

I know St. Thomas has a focus on sustainability. I haven't looked into it as much as I should, but now Im more focused on environmental and sustainability topics. With the St. Thomas 2025 plan I think bringing awareness and seeing that it exists, its on our campus, and there are a lot of people doing a lot of great things around campus to help challenge climate change, is something I hope more of our students can become more aware of.

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Sophomore Wins SEJ Press Freedom Award - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas - University of St. Thomas Newsroom

GENEVA (24 June 2022) Media freedom and safety of journalists have declined dangerously around the world with grave negative impacts on human rights, democracy and development globally, a UN expert warned today.

In a climate of surging authoritarianism and backsliding of democracies, populist leaders have actively sought to demonise and discredit independent journalists and many governments have introduced restrictions on freedom of expression contravening international law, said Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

In a report presented to the Human Rights Council, Khan examines opportunities, challenges and threats to media in the digital age. She focuses on three major concerns: online and offline attacks and killing of journalists with impunity; criminalization of journalism and legal and judicial harassment of journalists; and the erosion of independence, freedom, pluralism and viability of the media by State and corporate actors, including digital companies.

Silencing journalists by killing them is the most egregious form of censorship, Khan said as she urged the Human Rights Council to consider robust measures to address impunity, including an international taskforce on the prevention, investigation and prosecution of attacks against journalists.

The age-old practice of using the law to suppress reporting has been revived with a new ferocity in the digital age, said Khan, noting the increased use in recent years of criminal legislation and fake news laws to suppress freedom of expression online and prosecute and punish journalists with heavy fines and harsh imprisonment.

The report highlights digital technology as both enabling groundbreaking journalism and creating new threats, ranging from online gender-based attacks against women journalists and targeted digital surveillance of journalists to orchestrated online disinformation campaigns and the role of digital platforms as gatekeepers controlling the availability, accessibility, diversity and dissemination of news with no public accountability and little transparency.

The overriding problem is not of gaps in international law but of the failures of compliance and implementation, rooted in the lack of political will, Khan said.

The report recommends urgent and concrete action by States, international organizations and companies to address the multiple, complex and often interconnected physical, legal and digital threats in a holistic way in line with international human rights law.

Without concrete action backed by political will, the prognosis for media freedom and the safety of journalists is grim, said Khan. Independent, free and pluralistic news media is crucial for democracy, accountability and transparency and should be nurtured by States and the international community as a public good, she said.

The Special Rapporteur also presented a report on her country visit to Hungary that took place in November 2021.

Originally posted here:

Ensuring media freedom and safety of journalists requires urgent concrete action backed by political will: UN expert - OHCHR

OLD SAYBROOK There was dancing in the center of town as Latin and rock music played while the finishing touches were applied to the Just a Piece of Freedom mural on the south wall of River Mart.

With a playlist from different countries, including French-Spanish singer Manu Chao, Bruce Springsteen and U2, music filled the air as a steady stream of onlookers flocked to the 17- by 74- foot mural, created by international muralist Rafael Blanco.

I saw how people were really liking that vibe, the artist said, taking a quick break from his 12- to 14-hour day.

The artwork features the portraits of six local students, three females and three males, chosen from a pool of 18 essays.

They include Kathleen Goodwin Elementary Schools Ariana Netravali; Old Saybrook Middle Schools Riya Modhvadiya and Teddy Chacha; Old Saybrook High Schools Camilo Bracho and Avery Rueckert and alumnus Davonte Mitchell.

These students were chosen for their diversity.

They told us a little bit about their background and heritage, as well as their talents and accolades, said Hannah Newton, an art teacher at Old Saybrook High School and Old Saybrook Middle School.

The mural is the culmination of high school student Nick Chachas yearlong school project, combined with his interest in art.

The message is that if you take a little second to recognize each others different heritage and where we come from, we can all feel more connected, the incoming senior said.

We can find those different connections and we can start talking more and feel more accepted, he said. It can bring our community together.

Essayist Bracho is Latino and is shown in the mural with a butterfly on his left shoulder.

My story seeks to inspire my entire community to believe in them and show that they can achieve everything they set out to do, Bracho wrote in an email.

Since arriving from Ecuador a year and a half ago, I set out to give my best, I worked on a project on the Latino community to inspire my community to fight for our dreams and express how we feel and what the reality of our situation is, he wrote.

Facing new challenges was not easy but working with dedication and focus everything is possible he continued. I have been working daily for a more inclusive and empathetic community.

He wrote about the uniqueness of the Monarch butterfly: ...something peculiarly interesting is that I made the monarch butterfly with blue color in my art class although they are orange, to show that everyone can create their fantasy.

For Rueckert it was her deep family roots in Old Saybrook that made her essay distinctive.

They owned a tavern back in the 1700s, said Sara Menga, so she has this true New England heritage, which we felt was really important to include, to make our mural not just be about diversity through race, but again, through their talents and history.

Menga is an art teacher at Old Saybrook High School.

Nick Chacha worked closely with Newton and Menga to bring the mural to the life.

Along with him being a really strong artist and flourishing in our room, we also saw him as a strong peer within the ELL (English Language Learners) program, said Newton, standing in front of the mural, scrubbing paint off her hands with a white washcloth.

Newton said the ELL program has been growing within the school system.

It started off with a few families coming to our school from different countries, like just dropping in here, not knowing any English, and Nick has a similar experience where he learned English by starting off in our school system, because he grew up in an Ecuadorian household, she said. He really became a leader within that group of kids and the art and the culture, it all started really mixing together.

Nick Chacha talked about growing up around art.

I grew watching my uncle paint and draw and he used to do it a lot and he was really good, this 18-year-old said. He used to sell his paintings.

It was Nick Chachas immersion in high school art that allowed him to improve and to progress. He recalled that it was the suggestion from teachers that he incorporate his art into his senior project.

Because I am so proud of my heritage and of all my friends, I was like, I should do something to make everyone feel comfortable, the incoming senior said. I know a lot of people from difference countries and I know it can be hard for them to feel accepted or comfortable, at least for a little while, where they are.

From this idea came the creation of the mural. Blanco was paid, through the school system, a total of $7,000.

This artist felt an immediate connection with the project.

Whenever I can I like to focus on diversity, he said, taking a break from his long day of painting. Why? Because Im an immigrant. Im from Spain, my wife is from Mexico, our kids were born here. So, personally it is fascinating to me how beautiful that is, but how complicated. Even at the house we have to find a common ground.

Blanco completed the mural in a weeks time, from June 14-21.

He started the work with chalk, moving onto house paint in blue, red, green, yellow, purple and orange and finished with a coat of sealer that protects the surface for many years to come, he said.

He chose to use vibrant colors and a drip method, so that the faces of the students are multicolored.

I was interested in leaving the skin color out and bringing (in) all the colors in a way that they are mingling, the artist said.

Color, for me, is very important, he said. Part of my work, I want to express how the color of our skin should not define who you are.

I think we are forgetting our commonalities of the human race, he said.

Blanco talked about why he chose to portray the students with the drips of vibrant colors.

Each of us, we are like one of those drips, Blanco said, standing in front of the nearly-finished mural.

We are unique, he said. Each of those drips is just different and original and unique, in one way, but also, all those drips, they are similar.

Nick Chachas brother, Teddy Chacha is featured in the work, forming his hands in a heart shape.

Teddy is mainly blues and greens, but he also has some yellows and you go to Ariana and its mainly yellow, plus she has blues and greens, Blanco said.

What Im trying to say is that we may be certainly different, but we are all part of each other, he said. We have different cultures and we celebrate that, but we are still human, we still have those commonalities.

Blanco talked about the transformation of the wall within the span of week and the impact it has had on the community.

I think the most amazing thing about the project, and about public art, is this wall was gray, empty, blank maybe ugly, and now it is something special that it has many different layers, Blanco said.

To me, that something so simple can motivate, can stimulate, can bring the town together, he said. Ive been here for a week now and, in a way, it has been one of the most difficult murals to finish because it has had so much of an impact that it was difficult to paint.

While he admitted it may take a little time to fully comprehend the affect of the work on him, personally, he had some thoughts.

I think one of the reasons is that in smaller communities there is more of an impact, he said. This is really different and I think people were expecting to see a lighthouse, a landscape, a boat.

Watching the finishing touches added to the mural, Samantha Walsh talked about the project.

I just think its mind blowing, Walsh said.

Its just beautiful, the 14-year-old said. It shocks me that a guy can do this, to this scale, to the detail. Its amazing.

Beyond the actual artistry, the incoming Old Saybrook High School freshman said she appreciates the message.

I just love what it represents for Old Saybrook, she said. I like how the center is Teddy Chacha with the heart. It really just brings diversity and love into this town.

For Blanco, it was an enlightening experience to be a part of this project.

For the people to see the process, the progress and to get to meet the artist and that they are involved it in has been a full circle of many different layers that we didnt know we were going to get this far, he said.

Whenever I go to places, there is an idea and you never know the outcome, you never know how much of an impact, you never know how much a collaboration its going to be, he said. You never know how many of the kids were going to help and at the end, its been overwhelmingly a success because everyone wanted to participate.

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International artist paints 'Just a Piece of Freedom' mural in Old Saybrook with local helpers - CT Insider