A new mural in Hyattsville promotes reparations to African-Americans over slavery.

Painted by noted D.C. artist Demont Pinder, the mural on the parking lot side of the AWork location at 4328 Farragut St. features the Statue of Liberty lighting a torch with the word “reparations” on it.

Co-owner Stephen Jeffrey told the Hyattsville Wire he had first hired a different artist to do a more general mural about the area’s diversity and history, but after talking with a friend about police violence and other issues, he felt the mural should take a stronger stand on racial injustice.

“It is up to all of us to ensure that the original sin of our nation is addressed and restitution is provided so that healing can begin and we can truly love each other regardless of skin color,” he said. “This is the elephant in the room that will not go away until addressed.”

The mural includes several timely references, including protesters wearing coronavirus masks, Air Jordans on the Statue of Liberty and a sign referencing H.R. 40, a bill from Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee that would create a commission to study reparations.

“I was unsure of how the community would receive this artistic offering – but I am so happy that overwhelmingly the response has been heart-warming and very positive,” Jeffrey said.

After opening in January, AWork, a coworking space, has also recently added a second location at 10001 Derekwood Lane in Lanham.

Since the pandemic, its Hyattsville location has leased out some of its space to a barber shop and salon as well as to Israel The Church of Jesus.