Newly Painted Greta Thunberg Mural Gets Vandalized In Canada

A newly painted mural of teen climate activist Greta Thunberg in Canada was vandalized by some people who sprayed pro-oil messages and French slurs over it.

Local artist AJA Louden had painted the mural of Thunberg with the messages “Thank you, Greta,” and “Thank you, Beaver Hills Clan,” on a free expression graffiti wall in Alberta on Friday, the same day the 16-year-old activist led a climate strike in the city.

James Bagnell, a person who did not want the teen activist to tell them how to lead their lives, sprayed “Stop the Lies. This is Oil Country!!!" over Thunberg’s face, while CBC was filming the mural on Sunday morning.

"This is Alberta. This is oil country. My father has worked in the oil industry. We don't need foreigners coming in and telling us how to run our business, support our families, put food on our tables," Bagnell told CBC.

He said he decided that he would deal with the new mural as soon as he saw the photos on social media. According to him, his father, who recently died, would have been disgusted to see the mural of Thunberg.

"I think it's absolutely intolerant of them to tell us how to change our lives and our people. She should go back to her country and try to make her country better," Bagnell said.

He called the climate activist a kid who knew nothing and was doing what she is being told. He asked her to shut up until she offers solutions.

Sometime later, another man had defaced the mural, using a French slur to call out Thunberg and asking her to get out of the country. Her eyes were crossed out with black paint and the message “Agent provacateur out of Canada!” was written across the mural.

On being asked whether he felt bad about the mural being defaced, Louden told CBC that he wasn’t upset.

“I painted the portrait over somebody else’s artwork. So I don’t feel upset at all about somebody going over mine. One of the goals with painting that portrait was to further the conversation."

Thunberg’s speech, which was attended by about 8,000 people, was marred with protests from pro-oil and gas sections. According to the Edmonton Journal, though the activist from Sweden called for strict climate action, she wasn’t able to provide a concrete solution to overcome the issue.