A mural recently painted in Clifton has become the center of controversy after a portion of it was covered up, being deemed “too political.”

The mural was the topic at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting. The artists, 19-year-old May Yuasa was expected to be given a chance to speak about the mural and find out why city officials had it painted over. But instead, Yuasa was not allowed to speak, and was instead questioned about how the mural came to be.

Some supporters made it clear that they felt the council members were interrogating her and demanded that she be allowed to speak. The meeting was then stopped for a break.

The mural in question is located on Allwood Road under an overpass. Yuasa says that the mural was designed to show unity and diversity in Clifton. It also included five fists of different skin colors.

Those fists were painted over by the Clifton Department of Public Works after complaints from some residents who thought it was too political.

“When I submitted the design for approval, I let them know that it was to celebrate Clifton's diversity and our inclusivity. And to leave a hopeful message for youth,” Yuasa says. "My volunteers and I worked really hard on this and it was a shame they covered it up and I'm truly disappointed at how it was handled."

Yuasa says that she hopes that the City Council will allow her to repaint the mural somewhere else.

Council members said that it would be put up for a vote. But it was unclear when that vote would take place.