A coalition of organizations that use art and education to draw connections between the brutal systems of imprisonment in the US and Palestine. The collaboration is based on long-term relationships and work, most recently the Art Against Imprisonment virtual art exhibit. This exhibit is intended to shine a light on the creativity which people in prisons use to break through their isolation and invisibility. It exposes the similar ways in which Israel and the U.S. use prisons to criminalize and repress people’s movements for liberation. It will help to inspire solidarity between our collective movements towards liberation.

The development and role of the prison systems of the U.S. and ones under the prolonged Israeli occupation and apartheid regime have many historical parallels and shared methods of carceral control including interrogation, solitary confinement, child imprisonment, family separation, sexual violations, administrative detention and centers, surveillance techniques, and involvement in the arms trade. In addition to closely cooperating and exchanging strategies, the U.S. and Israel have influenced and shared strategies and resources with many other countries. 

The Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural (OPSM) makes visible the global connections embodied in joint struggles for justice. Using the occupation of Palestine as a lens, the mural addresses interlinked histories of colonization, environmental exploitation and international solidarity. Adopting the image of the tree as a central motif and global visual signifier to link seemingly disparate issues and distant locations. Spanning 157 feet and reaching 22 feet high, the mural comprises of nine separate panels, where each artist or team of artists has painted his or her own interpretation of a tree to address social and political issues.