Fifty years ago, a team of artists led by John Pitman Weber and Jose Guerrero created the “Solidarity” mural in the lobby of the UE Hall in Chicago, at that time the center of a vibrant working-class neighborhood. The mural tells the story of UE, industrial unionism, and related social movements in the style of Diego Rivera. For 50 years, it has served as a visual narrative of the struggles and triumphs of the working class, capturing the spirit of solidarity, resilience, and the fight for workers’ rights.

With the neighborhood gentrifying, UE is in the process of selling the aging building — but is working hard to preserve the mural for the Chicago community and future generations. Representatives from UE are meeting with potential funders to determine the viability of various means of preserving the murals — thank you to the more than 2,500 people who have signed this statement to demonstrate that there is widespread support for preserving this vital piece of history!

You can still sign this form to make sure you get updated about efforts to preserve the murals.

If you are interested in learning more about the mural, this 2019 article in the Chicago Sun-Times includes an interview with one of the muralists and spectacular photos of the artwork.