One of Los Angeles’ most recognizable art installations was vandalized Thursday after abortion rights activists poured fake blood over LACMA’s ‘Urban Light’ display.

The multi-beam sculpture is typically a backdrop for tourist photos, but on Thursday, roughly 25 protesters from the “Stand Up 4 Abortion Rights” and “Vets Rise For Roe” organizations made it their backdrop for a demonstration that included buckets of blood-like liquid and chains to attach themselves to light posts.

“During the protest, two female protesters chained themselves to the light pole of an art exhibit, damaging the exhibit itself,” an LAPD press release read. “One male protester threw an unknown red liquid substance on the art exhibit and surrounding area.”

Several protesters laid on top of the bloody-looking liquid, while others held up coat hangers and hovered above body bags, saying they were representative of unsafe abortions and women bleeding out from miscarriages.

“I enlisted to defend freedom not to have mine stolen! Together we can rise up for equality and human rights,” A protester identified by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights, as Victoria Eggers, said of the protest. “This is not a protest against LACMA, but a call to the arts community, and to all of society. Silence is compliance. Start taking action and Rise up for abortion rights now.”

LAPD issued two dispersal orders before clearing the area around 4:30 p.m., more than four hours after the noon protest began.

Three arrests were made after the demonstration, with bail set at $20,000. A GoFundMe fundraiser was set to collect bail money for the activists who were arrested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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