New mural in Marina pays homage to the late activist, Gerry Low-Sabado.

There's a new mural in the county, this time in the “distinguished City of Marina,” as Catalyst Cannabis Marina, a store on whose walls the mural had been painted, announced in a press release. It was created by a gifted painter, muralist and DJ—Seaside’s own Hanif Panni. 

Agata Popęda here, a former Marina citizen who knows first-hand how badly we need color in this coastal town, sometimes as gray and foggy as Dickens’ London.

Catalyst Cannabis Marina is inviting all of us to the mural unveiling that will take place 11:30am-1pm on Saturday, Feb. 24. 

The mural, called “The Taking of a Village",” is a homage to Low-Sabado, a fifth-generation Chinese-American born and raised in the Monterey area. After learning her ancestors preserved and thrived in spite of discriminatory laws, Low-Sabado dedicated her life to telling this untold story, promoting diversity, inclusion and social justice. She was a tireless advocate for change with kindness. 

The intention came from Catalyst Cannabis Marina owners, who were researching local muralists and were impressed by Panni’s work. The task was to celebrate the local Pacific-Asian community that has deep roots on the Monterey Peninsula. Panni picked Low-Sabado on the advice of his wife, former Monterey County Weekly journalist, Kera Abraham, who wrote about Low-Sabado’s activism.

Low-Sabado, who died in 2021, was an adamant activist. According to Abraham, for years, she’s petitioned the city of Pacific Grove to pay more respect to the Chinese village that thrived for 53 years at Point Alones, on the shore of what is now Hopkins Marine Station. She also asked the Feast of Lanterns Board of Directors, in her quiet and respectful way, to make changes to the faux-Chinese pageant, which eventually happened. After Low-Sabado’s death her allies pushed the city to stop hosting the pageant. The FOL board ended the event entirely in 2022, just five months after her passing.

Low-Sabado’s impact didn’t end there. A few months later the P.G. City Council voted to issue a formal apology for the burning of the Chinese fishing village, as well as other injustices against Chinese Americans.

In 2023, the Monterey Bay Aquarium decided to name their new penguin after Low-Sabado, “a dedicated educator, community preservationist, and friend of the aquarium,” according to a press release.

Panni hopes that when people look at the mural they see the lasting legacy. A legacy that both Low-Sabado and the Chinese American community left behind. It is also a nice gift for Monterey County’s women, just in time for International Women’s Day, March 8. 

“Marginalized voices can be expressed through artwork,” Panif says. “I enjoy representing stories and telling stories from perspectives where sometimes those stories don't get the loudest voice historically.” 

The ceremony will start at 12pm. The location is 3100 Del Monte Blvd. in Marina. Reserve your attendance at the Catalyst Marina Unveiling Invitation. If you have any questions, reach out to events@catalystcannabis.com. 

The mural is at the back of the building.

Have a great weekend.

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