Art exhibit at N.J. high school highlights police brutality & draws criticism from police

The students at Westfield High School are drawing attention and criticism for its art exhibit.

The display, entitled “Law Enforcement — Police Brutality,” includes images of a man stabbed in the back by a badge and several of guns aimed at unarmed figures.

Artists’ statements are included below each piece.

“I am generally opposed to all forms of government control, and with the common occurrence of slaughtering innocents on the high-rise this was my prime reason to protest,” wrote one student.

Below the image of a bloody figure stabbed by a police badge, a student wrote, “The message that I am trying to convey is how some police officers have spilled the blood of many innocent people.”

According to sources, officers aren’t too happy about the exhibit and have been sharing the photos and encouraging others to email complaints to Superintendent Margaret Dolan, and hundreds have responded.

Some have posted their thoughts about the exhibit in the review section of a Facebook page about WHS.

“Disgusting that this school allows projects depicting false police brutality. Should be ashamed of yourself,” wrote one user whose profile photo is a police badge.

Another Facebook user wrote, “Disgusted with your prejudicial so-called display of art that promotes violence by labeling police as brutalists. Funny that all school teachers aren’t called sex offenders because of an occasional inappropriate relationship with students. Treat law enforcement the same way!”

The superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, Dr. Margaret Dolan, said in response to the criticism:

“I have worked closely with law enforcement for over 20 years and have the utmost respect for the men and women who put themselves on the line each day to keep our communities safe” Dolan said in the statement. “Our schools support and respect our police department and law enforcement officers. Our schools and police department work cooperatively daily and will continue to do so.”

“The art project in question included drawings and captions depicting different viewpoints on a current controversial issue which was chosen by a small group of students,” Dolan said in the statement. “The teacher was attempting to encourage the students to look at more than one side of an issue.”

The exhibit is part of the school district’s annual art show, which was open to the public at Westfield High School from May 12 to May 14 at 2 p.m. It was part of a sampling of hundreds of works of art created by students representing all 10 Westfield public schools and grades ranging from kindergarten through 12^thgrade.