SAN FRANCISCO — A historic mural that's been targeted for destruction because of its depiction of slavery and Native Americans was briefly available for the public to view on Thursday.
Dozens of people showed up to see the doomed artwork at George Washington High School in the Richmond District.
Last month, the school board voted unanimously to paint over the 1936 work, "Life of Washington" by Russian artist Victor Arnautoff.
"You're not validated when you come into this hallway. So that's a sad, sad story," said Gail Meadows, an African American woman from San Francisco who teaches at another school. "But I don't think it should be painted over, because children can be taught from this."
A Washington High School student agreed that the picture exposes the reality of the country's past.
"I think they're accurate pictures of our history," one current student told KCBS Radio.
Supporters of the mural hope to get a measure on the ballot to save it.