Gun Violence and the Visual Landscape of Los Angeles
This large billboard currently at the 20th Century Fox studio in L.A. is directly across the street from a public park.
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The subject of gun violence is drawing widespread scrutiny right now in the aftermath of the horrific Connecticut school shooting that left 20 young children and eight adults dead. In Los Angeles, images of gun violence are common on billboards and other outdoor advertising, sometimes in close proximity to places where young people go to school, take public transportation, and otherwise congregate. Here is a small sampling of those advertisements.
This billboard was placed directly across the street from an elementary school in the Westchester area of L.A. After protests by parents, the company, Van Wagner Communications, removed the ad. (Photo taken 11/2/2010)
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Bus shelter ad currently on Pico Blvd.
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CBS Outdoor billboard two doors from a youth arts center in Venice. (Photo taken 7/31/2011)
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Clear Channel billboard directly across street from public high school. (Photo taken 4/2/2010)
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Bus shelter ad two blocks from elementary school. (Photo taken 8/2/2011)
Dennis Hathaway
