Colorado Graffiti Artist 'Gamma' Endorses Bernie Sanders for President

Colorado Graffiti Artist 'Gamma' Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
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Gamma Acosta is a graffiti artist and activist who has been beautifying neighborhood walls throughout Denver and Colorado for nearly 10 years.


I have been following Gamma's artwork for the last 3 of those years. So when I was driving through downtown and saw this mural, I immediately recognized his signature style and was not surprised to see people taking pictures and 'selfies' with the Bernie Mural.

And while his artwork such as the Denver Broncos Superbowl mural received lots of positive press such as in news outlets like our local NPR affiliate and the Denver Post

"Bronco's Peyton Manning and the Superbowl Trophy"

He has not received much press on his political themed art.

Much more than a graffiti artist, Gamma uses his artwork and talent to communicate political messages as well.
I saw his Bernie mural a few days ago and asked if he'd like to do an interview about it.
He agreed and brought fellow activists Flor Marquez and Bret Mielke with him:

Below is my interview of he and his friends, fellow political and community activists at the Bella Vista restaurant which has allowed Gamma to place murals on their Wall in Downtown Denver.

Bret Mielke, Flor Marquez, and Gamma Acosta of Gamma Gallery

(Note: Gamma donated his time and efforts for this mural and was

neither asked to do this or paid by the Sanders campaign)

First up Gamma of Gamma Gallery:


Q What was your inspiration for this?

A As soon as I found out he was running I knew I was going to do something like this to help support him.

Q And you donated the time and costs out of pocket to do that?

A Right, that was my contribution to his campaign.

Q Why did you choose to have the U.S. Constitution in the background?
A Just the phrase, We the People.

Flor

Q What got you involved?

A (Bernie) was talking a lot about the Environment which is something we are almost at a State of Emergency in our World, the way that we are living. That's something that I think is really crucial for politicians to be talking about. The way Bernie talks he's addressing all of us, not just Democrats, not just poor people, he's talking about things that impacting everybody, and there's no segregation -- We are all a part of it.

Q What is the biggest challenge that you think you people are facing today?

A (Gamma) Debt.

(Bret) Definitely Debt.

(Flor) I had to stop going to school because I couldn't afford it, and this is an obstacle that stands in the way of me furthering my career and being a community member and supporting the community.

(Bret) I'm 33 years old. I had countless people when I graduated High School go straight to War.

Some them now are probably out there holding those (homeless) signs on the side of the street. They definitely don't get the mental health care or things like that which they deserve.

And you hear someone like Bernie come along who has been working for Veterans for quite some time. The other candidates are not even addressing these concerns. (They think) the Status Quo is just fine. But the average person realizes the Status Quo is not fine -- It's leaving so many people by the way side.

A Statement from Flor for Spanish speaking members of the audience:

"Tenemos que contribuír en al sistema political porque si nosotros no contribuimos a nos trabajos no existe. "

(translation)
We have to contribute to the political system because if we don't contribute our work does not exist.

Another interesting comment from Gamma:

He (Bernie) is not running to gain control. All the other candidates are like
"I need to be President"

(Bernie) is saying "We have a chance to fix this, We can do better"

Yes We Can Do Better

Make sure to "Another interesting comment from Gamma: He (Bernie) is not running to gain control. All the other candidates are like "I need to be President" (Bernie) is saying "We have a chance to fix this, We can do better" Yes We Can Do Better Make sure to Caucus for Bernie in Colorado on March 1st!" target="_hplink">Caucus for Bernie in Colorado on March 1st!

(thanks to Flor for also providing Spanish language viewers her advice to get involved)

Bret Mielke, Flor Marquez, and Gamma Acosta of Gamma Gallery

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