Haven’t you wondered what stories lie behind this powerful statement? The No Human Being Is Illegal Mural stands as a vibrant testament to the struggles and dreams of migrant youth. It graces the walls of the Friends Meeting and the American Friends Service Committee. This mural is at 65 Ninth St in San Francisco.
The No Human Being Is Illegal Mural is not just paint on a wall. It is a passionate statement. It’s a statement from youth that politicians and allies cannot ignore. The mural is 100 feet wide and 30 feet tall.
The story of the No Human Being Is Illegal Mural began with a group of high school students. They called themselves 67 Suenos. This name represents the 67 percent of migrant youth whose dreams are not reflected in common narratives. Pablo Paredes of the American Friends Service Committee coordinated the youth outreach. He helped bring these voices into the immigration reform debate. They built community and documented their stories. The youth built alliances, educated potential allies, and advocated for change.
The group coalesced as the nation debated the Dream Act. Many allies campaigned for the act’s passage. But they did not know it had been changed. This left an estimated 67 percent of undocumented youth without a path to citizenship. The No Human Being Is Illegal Mural became their voice.
Creating the No Human Being Is Illegal Mural was not easy. The team faced challenges from the start. Securing a key to the vacant lot required jumping through hoops. They secured certificates of insurance. They signed a licensing agreement with a landlord. The lot was littered with refuse. It symbolized a forgotten neighborhood. Before painting could begin, they cleaned up bags of trash. They found broken glass and needles.
The team faced another setback. The initial muralist could not produce an image that resonated with the group. Just when they were about to give up, Pablo Paredes met Pancho Pescador. Pancho is an experienced muralist. He works with youth in Oakland. He created an image from Pablo’s notes about the group’s ideas. It turned out that Pancho was a beloved teacher from one of the youth’s middle school.
From that point on, the No Human Being Is Illegal Mural became magic. A painting party drew people from far and wide. Quakers came from Sacramento, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and the East Bay. Tourists stopped to help. One family traveling from Canada spent the day. Allies from the community painted. Individuals recognized the images and shared their stories.
As weeks passed, people stopped to take pictures. They yelled their appreciation. They offered to help. One young man spent two weeks cleaning the lot. Some homeless neighbors joined the daily painting team.
The No Human Being Is Illegal Mural includes powerful figures. There is Jose Antonio Gutierrez. He was the first person to die in the most recent Iraq war. Maria Isabel Vasquez was also included. She was a 17-year-old farmworker. She died of heat exhaustion while pregnant because she was not allowed a break. Manuel Jamines was also painted. He was a Guatemalan day laborer. He was shot and killed by police.
On August 26, the No Human Being Is Illegal Mural was unveiled. Hundreds of allies, friends, and families celebrated. The 67 Suenos were radiant. They stood in front of the crowd as cameras snapped pictures. The young people described the process of creating art. They shared their purpose and their dreams. They knew they had created something beautiful. They knew it carried a vital message. No human being is illegal. Each one has a dream.
The No Human Being Is Illegal Mural serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the struggles and dreams of those often unseen. It is a call for justice. It is a celebration of the human spirit.