ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A controversial mural in Ithaca will remain unchanged.

In a 9-2 vote on March 4, the Ithaca Common Council retroactively approved an amended design for a painting on East Green Street. The mural, which is centrally focused on the Underground Railroad, includes the pro-Palestinian slogan Free Gaza.

The slogan was not part of the original sketch the council approved in 2025. Artist Maryam Adib, who worked on the mural, said sketches are rarely final products.

“Artists, you know, often improvise,” she said. “They feel as they’re going through the project.”

Adib said the addition of Free Gaza was “very in line” with the beliefs of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, who are prominently featured in the painting. Images of the two abolitionists were part of the original sketch.

Sketch of the mural from 2025

Alderperson David Shapiro, who voted against the amended design, said the addition of text about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shifts the focus of the painting.

“The mural was meant to honor Black history in Ithaca,” he said. “It was meant to stand as a tribute to Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.”

Shapiro said “process matters” when it comes to projects involving city property. Alderperson Patrick Kuehl, who voted in favor of the amended design, wants the city to adopt stricter guidelines for murals.

“I think we need to strengthen our processes for future art installations,” he said.

Elsewhere in Ithaca, a new mural celebrating immigrants and refugees is coming to West State Street. It’ll be painted by local artist Hugo Medina.