"Art, Freedom, Democracy" Series Closed By City of Troy

An art installation closed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on March 5 was shut down by the City of Troy the morning of March 11, a day after it re-opened at The Sanctuary for Independent Media.

Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" piece is the centerpiece of a month-long celebration of art, freedom and democracy at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, which features by Iraqi-born digital media artist Wafaa Bilal, culture jammers The Yes Men, film maker Pam Yates and the Critical Art Ensemble's Professor Steve Kurtz. The City of Troy's order to close The Sanctuary for Independent Media jeopardized the entire "Art, Freedom, Democracy" series, which focuses on government intimidation and censorship under the guise of counter-terrorism.

The City of Troy cited code violations as the reason for their action, less than 24 hours after an inspection by code enforcement and fire officials cleared the building for use.

The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the City of Troy, seeking information about the decision to close The Sanctuary for Independent Media. In the meantime, a number of local churches and other organizations have stepped forward to offer sanctuary to the Sanctuary. Activities will continue at these Sanctuaries-in-exile until regular operations resume at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, perhaps by the end of April.