As an update: Within 24 hours of starting the petition, the Medford City Council has committed to pulling their funding offered to this private art installation project. WELL DONE y'all, and thank you for signing and sharing your voices.

HOWEVER, that does not mean the installation will be cancelled. As stated, this is a private project being installed on private land - not a city project.

Our next step is to send this petition to the Downtown Medford Association, who is assisting in bringing this artwork to Medford. 

This is not (and never was) a conversation about the value of public art, nor is it a matter of our city's residents misunderstanding the design intent. The context creates the content of the work, and in this context, the content of the message is missing the mark. It is nearly impossible for grievers/fire survivors to see themselves turning their back on the fire as a sign of strength when we are wading through the nightmares and daymares of memories from the fire.

This conversation is the result of the heart cry of a wounded region. We are asking for compassion and intelligent thought around the way a private group of citizens chooses to commemorate one of the worst tragedies in the history of our valley.

This petition will be forwarded to the artist and team around the installation. Please sign, share, and do not spread misinformation or rumors about the project, designer, intention, or city council. NONE of that is valuable, helpful, honoring, or necessary. Stick to the point.

Thank you again to the Medford City Council for hearing our hearts and needs, and responding promptly to correct the funding contribution to this project. It is wonderful to know we can make our voices heard.