Downtown L.A. mural ‘shameful act of anti-Semitism,’ mayor’s office says

A mural that depicts a Grim Reaper wearing a cloak covered with Stars of David, holding what appears to be a dead baby and a missile, was blasted by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office as a “shameful act of anti-Semitism.�

The mayor learned of the mural on Tuesday through posts on social media, said his spokesman, Alex Comisar.

“Imagery like this should have no place in our city,� Comisar said. “Mayor Garcetti was incredibly upset by it. We’re looking into the recourse that we have to have it taken down.�

The mural is painted on a brick building that’s home to the Vortex, a 400-person event space in downtown Los Angeles.

The Vortex said in a statement on Facebook that the mural was created several years ago to acknowledge the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as part of the “L.A. vs. War� art show.

The company said it “stands for free expression� and that the artist “did not intend to express an anti-Semitic message.� It said it planned to host a public discussion about the controversy at the Olympic Boulevard event space.

“We believe his intent deserves considerable weight,� the Vortex said about the artist. “We invite those who feel otherwise to paint another mural next to it.�

The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday called for the mural’s removal.

“For a venue that purports to welcome the community, the Vortex should join us in condemning hateful imagery that invokes anti-Semitic canards conflating Jews with death, snakes, bombs and killing babies,� the organization said in a statement.

[email protected]

Twitter: @AleneTchek