UQÀM considers keeping graffiti from student protests
Three university buildings on campus covered with artistic mementos of Maple Spring
The Université du Québec à Montréal is mulling over the possibility of keeping artwork and writings scrawled on its hallway walls during last spring's student demonstrations.
"For me, these drawings represent an expressive and living testimonial," said Daniel Crespo, a student in the international relations and human rights program.
He says the writings and artwork on the walls are not graffiti and says they should be preserved.
If the university paints over the surfaces, Crespo says the students will likely just draw on them again.
UQÀM has yet to decide what it will do with the drawings.
University spokeswoman, Jenny Desrochers, says there is a divide in the community between those who want the drawings to stay and those who want them gone.
"We want to submit the ides to our community to make sure that they want to keep the graffiti," she said.
Desrochers said there are only about 10 walls in three university buildings that are painted over.
She pointed out there is one building on UQÀM's campus where students are permitted to paint on the walls.