Mural honoring Japanese Americans vandalized again in Seattle’s Chinatown

A mural honoring Japanese American history in Nihonmachi Alley of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District was vandalized with spray paint last weekend, marking the second attack on the artwork this year.

What happened: The vandalism, which involved silver spray paint splotches on the artwork, likely occurred between Aug. 1-2 and was cleaned up by Monday morning by the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA). The first attack reportedly occurred in January when vandals covered the artwork with black ink and wrote Bible chapter and verse numbers on the alley wall. Michael Durnan, a doorman at the historic Panama Hotel who monitors the alley, told FOX 13 that the buildings facing the area have historic ties to World War II.

About the mural: The piece, titled “Never Again Is Now,” was created by Seattle artist Erin Shigaki in 2019 as part of a public art exhibit. The mural shows a mother and child during forced removal, along with names of Japanese Americans held at Idaho’s Minidoka War Relocation Center who still served in the U.S. Army.

Why it matters: “This mural stands as a reminder of our resilience and a reminder for current and future generations this can’t happen again,” CIDBIA Executive Director Tuyen Than told KING 5, emphasizing its relevance as birthright citizenship is being challenged today. The vandalism also reflects ongoing challenges facing Seattle’s Asian American community, echoing the 2023 attack on the Wing Luke Museum that resulted in over $100,000 in damages. The suspect, identified as Craig Milne, allegedly yelled anti-Chinese statements during the incident.

Than said her organization has cleared over 10,000 square feet of graffiti from the neighborhood so far this year.