Campaign for Murals of Ukrainian Woman Follows Media Silence
A lack of media coverage regarding violent incidents affecting Ukrainian women has sparked a movement to create murals honoring them in key cities across the United States.
Iryna Zarutska, just 23 years old, was fatally stabbed on August 22 while traveling on a public train in Charlotte, North Carolina. The police apprehended 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown, who has a long history of arrests, including for armed robbery and theft, and charged him with her murder.
Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe took to social media to suggest a mural to commemorate Zarutska, expressing his intent to contribute financially to this cause. “I’m pledging $500,000 alongside a $10,000 grant for a mural depicting Iryna Zarutska in a prominent U.S. city,” he shared online.
The fundraising campaign, hosted on a donation platform, has already surpassed its initial $10,000 goal, raising more than $59,000 thanks to numerous supporters. Tech billionaire Elon Musk also expressed his commitment to the cause, stating, “I’ll be donating a million dollars,” in a response on social media.
Critics from the right have pointed to the mainstream media’s scant reporting on Zarutska’s murder, contrasting it with their enthusiastic coverage of more politically favorable cases.
Following the release of a disturbing video of the attack, which wasn’t widely shared in the media, outrage over the event intensified, largely circulating through social media channels.
On Tuesday, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt addressed the issue, condemning the media’s reticence. “This is pure evil on full display,” she said. “What’s most egregious is that her death was entirely preventable. DeCarlos Brown should not have been on that train that night.”
Leavitt continued, pointing out that many media outlets chose not to report on Zarutska’s murder because it didn’t align with their preferred narratives.
Interestingly, the donation page states, “We will place numerous posters and murals throughout our great country to ensure that her tragic story drives meaningful change,” emphasizing their intent to honor Zarutska’s memory.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has filed an additional federal charge against Brown, as his actions are considered behavior causing death in a mass transit environment. If convicted, he could face severe penalties, including the possibility of life in prison.
