Murals Depicting Slavery Can Be Covered Up, Judge Says

A federal court has ruled against artist Sam Kerson, who sued the Vermont Law School after it covered up his murals featuring offensive stereotypical depictions of Black people. The ruling issued on August 18 marks the second time a court has sided with the school. According to United States Circuit Chief Judge Debra Livingston’s 39-page opinion, the case presented “weighty concerns” over an artist’s moral right to maintain their work’s integrity and a private entity’s right to control the art in its collection.