 Citizens of Cape Town are facing a new anti-graffiti by-law which takes away the rights of house owners to give permission for any artworks on their walls besides a house number.
It is felt that the new, proposed graffiti by-law criminalizes all forms of public art and violates personal rights to freedom of expression on private property.
The by-law makes no distinction between vandalism and public art that is done with the permission of the owner of the property.
Having completed numerous projects to date for the South frican government, there are 2 details of the law that TheAntsNest.com/Graffiti Ants would like government to reconsider:
1. The definition of ‘graffiti’ under the by-law is too broad. It classifies ‘graffiti’ as any inscription, word, figure, letter, sign, symbol, sketch, picture or drawing. There should be a clear differentiation between ‘graffiti vandalism’ (e.g. gang tags, scratchings) and public art that is done with permission from the owner (murals, colourful characters and positive, inspiring messages).
2. The by- law removes the legal right of the private property owner to paint anything other than a house number on his/her wall. We strongly believe that the private property owner should maintain the right to determine what to paint on to his/her property without permission from the City.
To oppose this newly proposed law, it is necessary to present it to the Cape Town City Council during the public participation process.
Should you agree with these two amendments please sign the petition on the link below and hopefully we can adjust the by-law to become a more inclusive one and thus limit the damage it can potentially do to the creative freedom in the mother city.
http://www.petitiononline.com/art4all/petition.html
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