Lockyer Moves Controversial Painting from Public Exhibit

ABC News 10
Aug. 25, 2005

A painting that criticizes the policies of the Bush administration has been removed from a public exhibit and moved to Attorney General Bill Lockyer's office.

The painting was part of an exhibit by law professionals on display in the cafeteria of the state Department of Justice. It shows a red-white-and-blue map of the U.S. in a toilet with the text "T'anks to Mr. Bush." The artist, Stephen Pearcy, explained it was his way of expressing how the country, with the passage of the Patriot Act, was "going down the toilet."

Last month, demonstrators gathered outside the building at 13th and I streets in Sacramento to protest the display of the painting.

Lockyer said the complaints did not prompt him to move the painting. Spokesman Nathan Barankin said the piece was among three works of art removed from the exhibit because of "concerns about the current situation in the Middle East."

Pearcy responded to the relocation of his artwork by accusing Lockyer of violating his First Amendment right to political speech.