Westsyde Connection is an independently run skate shop in Dulwich Hill, in Sydney’s inner west. During it’s relatively short existence of a couple of years, it has quickly manifested into what could be better described as a collective hub than your usual run of the mill skate store. Not only do they cater for skaters of all levels, they also support the local arts by hosting regular exhibitions in their gallery space and showcase some amazing art on their walls from emerging artists to the more established players on the scene…which brings us to the issue at hand.

It seems that their neighbours The Salvation Army have taken issue with one wall in particular, this being their common boundary wall and now Westsyde Connection has a Supreme Court lawsuit on it’s hands.  The wall displays a massive mural that was completed over the course of 2009 and 2010 by a whole bunch of Sydney and Melbourne crew. After having a chat to Westsyde’s RJ Williams, it was decided to leave the artists involved names out of this post due to legalities.

What is hard to comprehend is that the wall actually faces back into Westsyde’s backyard, better known as “the compound” and in no way does it encroach upon the Salvos or anyone else for that matter. Infact it has livened up an otherwise massive ugly brown brick wall. I bet If the fellas from Westsyde had chosen to slap up a few sheets of lattice and plant some climbers the Salvos wouldn’t have any issues. So what has become apparent is their sheer ignorance and awareness towards their community’s youth culture (the youth who they claim to support) and creativity in general. Surely the dollars would be far better spent on more charitable causes rather than wasted on pursuing ridiculous lawsuits upon their neighbours.

Salvos, practice what you preach…Matthew 19:19 “Love your neighbour as yourself”.

Yeah right.

Check the mural below that has created the shit fight and be sure to sign the petition to show your support!

RJ Williams and the the Westsyde Connection Mural. Pic supplied by RJ.

Tags: lawsuit, Melbourne, murals, petition, RJ Williams, Salvation Army, Salvos, Skateboarding, support, Sydney, walls, Westsyde Connection

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