Rush City Council votes to allow mural after public input, review city code

At a special city council meeting in Rush City on Monday afternoon, a mural on the town’s Main Street loomed large over their small Chisago County community.

Owners of the Hairdo Or Dye Salon, Erin and Jason Oare commissioned the art in an effort to promote diversity and unity in rural Minnesota. But then they received a letter informing them the art was a violation of a local ordinance that could lead to fines or jail time.

From there, their options were clear: paint over the mural or face criminal charges. But the Oares decided that was a misuse of power and a violation of their freedom of speech.

"It’s been emotional because it’s a hard battle to fight… I expected there would be a little bit of a fight. I did not think it would be this extreme, or it would blow up like this." Erin Oare told FOX 9 on Monday. "Anyone who knows us will know that our intent was never to hurt or cause problems. It was to push for unity."