Numerous bus shelters advertising spaces were taken over by a collective of social activists on Wednesday, resulting in some alleged damage and prompting a vandalism investigation by police.
The campaign from street artist Lionel and Show Up Guelph saw posters put up in “every unoccupied bus stop billboard” in the city featured the red triangle of the Palestinian flag morphing into a heart, explains an email to GuelphToday from the activists.
The posters also include the message “Happy Valentines” written in red like blood dripping from the heart.
“This juxtaposition highlights the complex intersection of love and strife, inviting viewers to contemplate the deeper meanings of Valentine's Day amidst the realities of global conflict,” the email explains.
The posters were produced last week and installed Wednesday morning to coincide with Valentine’s Day in an effort to bring “a powerful message to the forefront of public consciousness.”
Officials with Guelph Transit reported the posters to police that morning and claimed some shelters sustained thousands of dollars in damage.
Any particular reason why all your bus stop shelters have bloody heart Palestinian flags, saying happy Valentines on them? Seems kind of inappropriate.
— Dan (@Dan83897651) February 14, 2024
