Community members, activists, artists and elected officials on Dec. 22 gathered in Bushwick to unveil a multi-story mural honoring immigrant street vendors and workers whose labor brings life to New York City.
Rising above the corner of Gates and Irving Avenues, the mural centers on immigrant dignity and resilience. Inspired by the experiences of street vendors, the artwork features a female vendor with strength and pride, alongside a child symbolizing the generations to come. In addition, there's bilingual text reading "Protect Families. Protect Immigrants," and a depiction of the Statue of Liberty.
The creation of the mural was led by Evergreen Initiative at The Action Lab, Make the Road New York, Hands Off NYC and muralist Andre Trenier. Organizers described the project as a bold cultural intervention amid escalating attacks, demonization and unlawful targeting of immigrant New Yorkers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“This mural is a bold affirmation of immigrant pride and a statement of solidarity," Jesus Gonzalez, senior director of Evergreen Initiative at The Action Lab said in a statement. "By uplifting the dignity of a street vendor, it pushes back against the harmful narratives used to dehumanize our neighbors. New Yorkers appreciate the many economic and cultural contributions of immigrants. This mural is a call to action to defend one another, and to speak up in the face of abuse. Immigrants built this city and keep it thriving."
The unveiling also marked the launch of a broader campaign by the Hands Off NYC coalition, which includes large-scale community trainings designed to equip thousands of New Yorkers with tools to safely intervene during unlawful arrests and ICE raids. It also features multilingual Know Your Rights trainings tailored to immigrant communities across the city, ensuring access to critical information and resources.
Leaders involved in the project noted that uplifting the dignity of street vendors challenges harmful narratives used to dehumanize immigrant neighbors and underscores the economic and cultural contributions immigrants make to the city every day.
“This mural by Evergreen Initiative brings beauty and pride to immigrant New Yorkers in our community,” said City Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “It also shows the critical role art plays in educating, organizing, and defending our communities. I will continue to stand with our neighbors against unlawful abuses that tear families apart.”
Community advocates also pointed to recent increases in ICE activity across the city including workplace harassment, racial profiling, and detentions in public spaces. Organizers said the mural reminds New Yorkers that unity remains a powerful response to fear and bigotry.
“It’s special to work on a mural that carries this much meaning,” Trenier said.
