South African Graffiti Artist Unveils Anti-Consumerist Mural in Durban

Durban, South Africa — Longtime South African graffiti artist “Ewok” recently showcased his latest mural at Durban’s iconic KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA). Unicorn Riot interviewed Ewok during the painting to expound more on the background and inspiration for the anti-consumerist set piece.

The…

Pro-Palestine Festival Artists Boycott Israel-Linked Company

Musicians speaking out against Israel has become a mainstream topic as artists are using famous festival stages to express their opposition against the ongoing genocide. Consequences followed swiftly, with Manchester’s RADAR cancelling Bob Vylan’s performance and Kneecap facing legal action after Glanstonbury. In the electronic…

Award-Winning Artist Javaka Steptoe Centers Community on Visit to Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN — Centering Black youth and community, award-winning author and illustrator Javaka Steptoe recently visited Minneapolis to share his joy in art and children’s literature. Recruited by educator Titilayo Bediako, the founder of youth-serving non-profit WE WIN Institute, Steptoe presented at a community event…

Ramadan Among the Rubble in Gaza: A Collection of Stories

Gaza, Palestine — For Palestinians in the bombarded Gaza Strip, the holy month of Ramadan was stained by genocidal acts perpetrated by Israeli forces for the second year in a row. In attempts to understand those continuing to practice their faith whilst surviving horrors, Unicorn…

Groundbreaking for a Minneapolis Youth-Serving Community Staple

Minneapolis, MN — For nearly three decades, the educational nonprofit WE WIN Institute has been nomadic, serving youth in Minneapolis out of rented spaces. But that era is coming to a close — on November 19, 2024, WE WIN held a groundbreaking event for their…

Artist EB Lewis Illustrates Social Injustice and Children’s Books

“I’m documenting and making statements about our society, social injustice.” That’s the mission that drives E.B. Lewis, an award winning illustrator, artist, visual storyteller, educator and father of three from Philadelphia. He’s taught for nearly four decades, has illustrated over 70 books for children, and…

Students Make Demands After Philly University of the Arts Moves to Close

Philadelphia, PA — Center City’s premiere arts university abruptly announced it’s shutting its doors, sending the entire community scrambling. Its accreditation was also pulled amid claims that a multi-million dollar budget gap had suddenly emerged. Some students assembled on the morning of June 4 to…

Indigenous Writer Gord Hill on Resistance Art History

British Columbia, Canada — Renowned Kwakwaka’wakw artist, author, and political activist Gord Hill recently spoke at the University of Victoria’s (UVIC) Faculty of Fine Arts in Victoria for its annual Lehan Family Activism & the Arts Lecture covering the intersection of art and activism. Hill…

Syrians Facing Expulsions at Home and Abroad

Over the last two years, the persecution of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has increased to terrifying levels. Whether due to violent rhetoric from the state or political parties, or direct assaults by petty militiamen, the safety of all Syrians in Lebanon is imperiled. 

With mainstream…

From Turtle Island to Palestine: Denver Commemorates Nakba

Denver, CO — On Wednesday evening, the local Indigenous community hosted a “healing event” at the Auraria Campus pro-Palestine solidarity encampment. According to a press release for the event, in tandem with the commemoration, the organizers “offer[ed] solidarity and healing for the Palestinian community” and…

Richmond Artist Reacts to Ashe Mural Vandalism as Suspect Arrested

On Oct. 20, 2021, two members of the American neo-Nazi organization Patriot Front filmed themselves vandalizing a mural of African-American tennis giant Arthur Ashe in Richmond, VA. The following year, Unicorn Riot published leaked video from within the organization which identified the perpetrators as Nathaniel…

Democratic Republic of Congo – The Genocide That Implicates Us All

Heavy fighting erupted in 2023 between the Congolese Army and several armed groups, most notably the M23 militia, escalating an already disastrous situation. Thousands have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. At present, there are 7.1 million displaced people in the Democratic…

‘Zaghrouda’ in the Midst of the Sudan War

Since April 15, 2023 war has been raging across Sudan — a war waged by two generals who formerly collaborated to crush the December Revolution, which started in late 2018. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, Head of the Sudanese Army (SAF), has fought a brutal campaign against the…

Resisting Starvation in Gaza

As the genocidal campaign in Gaza enters its sixth month, Israel’s use of forced starvation as a tactic is escalating. First through a total siege, then by preventing the delivery of aid, and most recently by slaughtering aid seekers in the now-infamous Flour Massacres. Forced…