LA vs Hate and Build Plus Community Marketplace to Present Mural Celebrating Multiculturalism and Unity Amidst Rising Rates of Hate Acts LOS ANGELES – A new 200-foot mural entitled “Unity Under the Sun” will be unveiled at the Watts Historic Train Station, presented by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relation’s initiative LA vs Hate in partnership with nonprofit Build Plus Community Marketplace. The highly visible mural spanning the walls surrounding the train station was created by local artists Showzart and Misteralek after a community engagement process. The mural unveiling will be celebrated with an event at the Watts Historic Train Station, opening with remarks by Robin Toma, Executive Director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker of District 15, that will share insight on the history and culture of Watts. The community celebration will also feature performances by African drummer group Inu Oluron and indigenous dance group Danza Mexica, as well as live music by DJ Orator, art and free food. “Unity Under the Sun” depicts a vast amount of cultural and historical symbols that reflect some of the many peoples, cultures, and movements that have been rooted, nurtured, and grown in Watts, and the surrounding area. The mural features celebrated members of the Watts community like Simon Rodia, builder of the Watts Towers; Arturo Ybarra, Executive Director of the Watts Century Latino Organization; and Wajeha Bilal, Executive Director, Build Plus Community Marketplace, a celebrated community leader who has dedicated her work to advocating for the people of Watts. LA Mayor Karen Bass is also depicted in the mural, celebrating her legacy as a community activist in South Central as the founder of Community Coalition. The mural highlights diverse members of the Watts community and reflects back the remarkable accomplishments of a region now led by an all-female County Board of Supervisors. “Unity Under the Sun” is an art intervention to fight hate, heal and bring communities from different ethnicities and cultures together, as part of the LA vs Hate community-driven approach to empower all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate. WHO:
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
I congratulate Ambassador Cindy McCain on her appointment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization to serve as the next Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP). For over 60 years, WFP has played a vital role in addressing global hunger, poverty, and undernutrition worldwide, helping feed millions of people in desperate need. WFP plays a crucial role in the international community’s efforts to respond to the worsening global food security crisis, and the United States, as its largest contributor, is deeply invested in its continuing success.
We are grateful for Ambassador McCain’s service as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, where she has led implementation of our food security policies. I am confident that she will bring renewed energy, optimism, and success to the World Food Program.
I would also like to express my appreciation to outgoing WFP Executive Director David Beasley for his dedication to the millions around the world in need of life-sustaining support. Since 2017, David has led WFP through unprecedented challenges, dramatically increasing the number of people served and improving conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, for which WFP earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
