🩺 Temple nurses could strike next week

🪧 One Labor Fight Down, Another To Go

School security officers scored a win this week as they approved a contract that promises three percent raises, bonuses, and bulletproof vests. Workplace safety is also a sticking point for nurses at Temple University Hospital, who are gearing up to strike as soon as next week. [🔒 The Inquirer, Metro Philly]

🇺🇸 What Philly Loses If ‘President’s House’ Changes

The National Park Service intends to remove references to slavery at exhibits at Independence National Historical Park due to an executive order by President Trump banning materials at national sites that “inappropriately disparage Americans.” What does this say about the nation and its reckoning with slavery — especially given Philly’s role in that history? [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🥅 Flyers Legend Bernie Parent Dead at 80

The former goalie for the Flyers helped secure the team’s only two Stanley Cups, inspiring the legendary quip: “Only God saves more than Bernie Parent.” Parent retired in 1979 due to an eye injury, but his heart had forever stayed with Philadelphia as he mentored other players and connected with fans throughout the region. [Billy Penn]

🏛️ UArts History To Be Preserved

The University of the Arts may have shut its doors, but you still have the chance to access some of its history. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is now in possession of artifacts dating as far back as 1876. The collection includes student portfolios, photographs, and exhibition programming. Some of the collection will be on display Nov. 8. [Philly Voice]

You may know Shepard Fairey from his OBEY brand or his optimistic portrayal of Barack Obama in an iconic 2008 campaign poster. But the Los Angeles-based artist has left his mark on Philadelphia, too. His work emblazoned with a distinctive red — such as “The Stamp of Incarceration: James Anderson,” “Long Play Philly DJs,” and “Lotus Diamond” — has long covered the walls of our city.

Now the globally renowned artist is debuting his largest mural in the city thus far. “Uplifting Justice” joins Philly’s portfolio of murals just in time for next year’s 250th anniversary of the founding of the country. Nearly two years in the making, the mural looms over Center City passersby, Love Park, and the Philadelphia Family Court building.

Your new mural is titled “Uplift Justice.” What does uplifting justice mean to you and how can Philadelphians and Americans do just that?

“Justice has so many different connotations and interpretations, but I view it as looking at what you do in the world that helps others rather than hurts others, and how you think not selfishly, but for the benefit of all humanity and the planet.”

How did you select the symbols and textures included in your design and what are they intended to represent?

“I use flowers as symbols of health and possibility. If you cultivate justice, if you uplift justice, justice can bloom, and that is good for society and for the world. I also incorporated some floral patterns. I think that flowers are really appealing visually, but also remind us of the importance of a healthy environment and natural beauty. I think we all respond to flowers because it's ingrained in our DNA that this is a symbol of springtime and renewal or health, and that's important for us to cultivate in the world.

“One of the left side floral patterns was inspired by a traditional Pennsylvania fabric design with my personal twist to it. I frequently work from things that have a historical basis, but I evolve them in my style. I like the idea that it's literally part of the fabric of Philadelphia…I love the idea of connecting the history of a place with what we'd like to see in the future of a place.”

One of your most well-known works is the iconic Barack Obama “HOPE” poster designed for his 2008 campaign. Do you still have the hope you artfully portrayed in that image?

“I always have hope. I think that humans can do horrible things and they can also do really kind, generous, innovative things. It depends on which narrative they seize upon. So I'm always trying to create work that has a hopeful aspiration or is critiquing what I think is the wrong direction.”