We, the undersigned, call on the City and County of San Francisco and the San Francisco Arts Commission to support the creation of a publicly visible mural honoring Alexei Navalny and, through his memory, all those persecuted or imprisoned for defending democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression in Russia.

Alexei Navalny was one of Russia’s most prominent opposition leaders and anti-corruption activists. After surviving a poisoning in 2020, he returned to Russia in January 2021, where he was immediately arrested. He remained imprisoned until his death in Russian custody on February 16, 2024, at the age of 47.

On February 3, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights unanimously found that Russia had violated multiple fundamental rights in connection with Navalny’s detention and imprisonment, including his right to life, liberty, and protection from inhuman and degrading treatment.

Navalny became a symbol of something larger than any single political movement: the right to criticize those in power, expose corruption, participate peacefully in political life, and speak freely without fear of imprisonment.

San Francisco has a long tradition of public art that preserves memory, confronts injustice, and gives voice to communities from around the world. A mural honoring Navalny would continue that tradition while also expressing solidarity with political prisoners and their families.

We respectfully ask San Francisco to help identify or facilitate an appropriate location, support the necessary approval process, and work with artists, community organizations, property owners, and other partners to make this project possible.

The mural can be supported through community fundraising, private donations, grants, and partnerships, minimizing or eliminating the need for taxpayer funding.

This would be more than a portrait on a wall.

It would carry a simple message:

Courage is remembered.
Political prisoners are not forgotten.
Those who stand for freedom are not alone.

Please sign this petition and help bring that message to San Francisco.

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