This is in response to the proposed removal of the mural at the Maine Department of Labor.

Removing public art at the whim of the governor and “unnamed friends” could set a bad precedent for the state. That mural was chosen after long deliberations of a committee of Maine citizens and completed with the aid of federal dollars (not to mention hundreds of hours of the artist’s labors to create this large piece).

To have that or any artwork removed from its public home because of the caprice of the governor is ill-conceived at best and censorship and political intimidation at worst.

To remove the depiction of the historic and heroic struggle of Maine labor history is just wrong.

When did “Rosie the Riveter” become a threat?

Are the other public artworks across the state now going to be at risk because of one man’s narrow opinion?

Robert Gibson, Lewiston