Workers began organizing in June 2021 as a response to new policies recognized as acts of militarization and continuation of settler-colonialism that disproportionately affects poor, disabled, and racially marginalized people. Museum leadership responded to this by reaffirming their commitment to colonial power structures and control of public spaces.
Disregard for community wellbeing and Indigenous sovereignty contradicts SAM stated community values, but is typical of SAM policies. It is our intent for SAM to be an institution that is run by and for the community — emphasizing global majority voices and leadership; to challenge the museum’s presumption of entitlement to objects from colonized cultures; and to affirm the right of Indigenous people to control their homelands.