These Walls Speak: A Benefit for Maine Solidarity Fund

Come learn about the Maine Solidarity Fund and meet representatives from their partner organizations. Post-film discussion and Q&A with These Walls Speak director Julian Rowand and Presente! Maine. 

These Walls Speak: PLACA is a 34-minute documentary (directed by Julian Rowand and Carla Wojczuk) connected to a larger community organizing project chronicling the early history of San Francisco’s first political mural alley in the Mission District in 1984, when 34 artists painted 36 murals to express their opposition to U.S. intervention in Central America and to celebrate Mission’s culture and identity. They called themselves the PLACA Collective (PLACA signifies “to leave a mark” among other meanings).

These Walls Speak tells the story of Balmy Alley and PLACA and is a story of resistance rooted in relationship, of the politics of place and the reclamation of public space, and of truth-telling through collective cultural expression. The film reflects on how international solidarity through art and organizing strengthens communities and fortifies our shared and mutual belonging.

Julian lives, here, in unceded Wabanaki land, Maine, is currently a senior director at Maine Initiatives. He/they are honored to share this film as a fundraiser for the Maine Solidarity Fund and to be in conversation with Presente! Maine staff.