Online Auction to Support KET‚s Defense Fund
Shepard has joined many of Alain Ket Mariduena‚s friends in supporting his
on going battle with the NYC courts by presenting an Art Benefit for Alain
Ket‚s Legal Defense. Art will be auctioned off on July 26th and an event
will be held on August 1st in NYC with proceeds going towards the defense
fund.
Alain Ket Maridueña is a publisher, writer, Hip Hop historian, activist and
graffiti artist from New York City. He was charged in New York City courts
(Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan) on counts of felony criminal mischief,
possession of graffiti tools, and X., all relating to a search performed on
his home in New York City in late 2006.
Alain Maridueña‚s arrest had come in the context of a growing anti-graffiti
sentiment in city government due to the growing gentrification of New York
City and as part of the Mayor Bloomberg‚s quality of life push, one started
by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Alain‚s arrest appears to be politically
motivated attack for his involvement with Marc Ecko and Ecko‚s successful
lawsuits against the city of New York in order to hold a graffiti event and
repealing a spray paint sales ban to 18 year olds. Many consider the charges
against Alain excessive.
Alain‚s court cases are ongoing and his family and friends will be raising
funds to pay his legal defense, setting up public events to educate people
about the incarceration of artists, and providing financial, logistical, and
legal support to Alain throughout his proceedings.
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