Arts v. Ads — something light in this part of the city
October 26, 2009
Five people were arrested yesterday for defacing billboards in an effort to replace ads with art.
The five were among dozens armed with paint and brushes who spread out over lower Manhattan and whitewashed billboards to “reclaim” public space as part of a protest organized by the Public Ad Campaign.
Three of the artists were charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti. The other two were still being processed last night. Adda Birnir, 24, and her boyfriend were painting flowers on a whitewashed billboard on Mulberry Street when cops hauled them off.
