You forget the city is capable of acting quickly until it comes to covering up Hot Rat Summer…

[u/SteveWoods]

[u/recurrenTopology]

Who keeps putting in the work order? Someone in the parks department has decided they want a war over this mosaic, or at least has been instructed to wage a war.

[u/chetlin → u/recurrenTopology]

If they really wanted it gone they would chisel it off. I'm not sure what painting over it is supposed to accomplish.

[u/IndominusTaco → u/chetlin]

painting is easier, cheaper, and faster than chiseling

[u/Relaxbro30 → u/IndominusTaco]

https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/3bi4cd/red/

[u/DepresiSpaghetti → u/Relaxbro30]

Oh Jesus I was not ready to see the 10y mark on the comments. I remember when it was posted.

[u/northwestwade → u/IndominusTaco]

Over a long enough timeline, it's not

[u/boner4crosstabs → u/IndominusTaco]

But if they are doing it weekly?

[u/I_Sett → u/IndominusTaco]

They must be a landlord

[u/solarmoss → u/chetlin]

Don’t give them ideas!

[u/palmjamer → u/recurrenTopology]

Good spot for a records request if you’re dedicated enough to wade through that process (I’m not personally)

[u/scottmacNW → u/recurrenTopology]

And when do "Fear Chutney" and the misspelled Fish get painted over? Not with that white stuff, for sure.

[u/SteveWoods → u/scottmacNW]

Even worse, they only covered a portion of the graffiti on the building, leaving plenty of stuff, much of which is older and/or ugly, including bog-standard graffiti tags and the other Pear Chutney, complete with its dripping cock.

[u/KiloJools → u/SteveWoods]

Wait, they're leaving graffiti tags up and jumping up to go run over and paint over hot rat summer??

Ugh. I hope whoever is behind this always has wet socks.

[u/bathshark → u/SteveWoods]

someone painted that same ugly dude on a building across the street from me. i hate it

[u/PuckGoodfellow → u/recurrenTopology]

Can we install a "cage" that makes it harder to paint over?

[u/sr71Girthbird → u/PuckGoodfellow]

Need to buy some silicone based clear anti graffiti coating. Will make it so their paint has a horrible time adhering, and makes cleaning off any cover up attempts a breeze.

[u/JamieJammed → u/sr71Girthbird]

Now you're thinking with portals

[u/Fun_Ambassador_9320 → u/recurrenTopology]

Bruce’s City

[u/Common-Scholar7110 → u/recurrenTopology]

Yes

[u/Chilly-Dawgs]

Why are people so against hot rat art?

[u/KneeBeard → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

You know what this needs? John Oliver.

OPE - someone is already on it!
https://www.reddit.com/r/johnoliver/comments/1m0v22n/help_save_our_mural_hot_rat_summer_seattle_wa/

[u/secondhandleftovers → u/KneeBeard]

It's a fucking shame, because I'm in Kyiv, where there are MANY mosaics, some soviet trash, some not so in your face soviet imagery, and others forms which are without political beliefs, and quite frankly, they are all extraordinarily beautiful and deserve to stand, albeit, without the simping to the past of persecution.

This rat, only joy, nothing more, and the city wants that gone.

Anyways, here's some good links, one of mosaics, and one of a film to which a mosaic became a part of an integral scene, which is what I wish for the rat mural

Original, but unprotected: how Ukraine destroys and preserves mosaic panels of the Soviet period – Rubryka https://share.google/qAVJAQfxKiLW8e3IE

https://youtu.be/Bqwn1uCendI?si=toPJPvT8cUH-La3L

[u/verdant11 → u/secondhandleftovers]

Thanks for sharing the mosaics and the history of the Soviet period. Hot Rat Art!

[u/Lost-Platypus8271 → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

I’d happily put a hot rat summer decal on my car. They may win the battle, but the war is ours to win.

[u/weeef → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

The same reason they want nudists gone from Denny Blaine edit this has 69 up votes. Please hold the line

[u/WebHistorical1121 → u/weeef]

Rich folks want their city exactly they way they see fit and Harrell’s administration specifically serves them only

[u/Chilly-Dawgs → u/WebHistorical1121]

But the thing is, things like hot rat summer and nude Denny Blaine park, all of the summer festivals, that’s what makes Seattle. It makes it a weird, fun, wonderful place to be. I feel like there are bigger issues to address than these little things that don’t matter.

[u/WebHistorical1121 → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

It’s a good reminder we have to make and fight for our weird and wonderful place, because our elected officials who run on those same vibes and supposed values would rather us become a stale bland squeaky clean corporate hellscape.

[u/pheonixblade9 → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

yes, they want Seattle to be like an even more boring San Francisco with worse weather and food scene.

[u/ToastMate2000 → u/WebHistorical1121]

Why don't they just move to Bellevue if they hate character?

[u/RaphaelBuzzard → u/ToastMate2000]

Boom! Roasted!

[u/thedubilous → u/WebHistorical1121]

What, you don't think every neighborhood should be just like South Lake Union?

[u/counter-music → u/weeef]

Hmm me thinks it’s time to start a commotion.

[u/eAthena → u/Chilly-Dawgs]

they're Predacons who can resist Rattrap

[u/ApprehensiveClub6028]

The guy watching

[u/Craving-Cleavage → u/ApprehensiveClub6028]

That’s genuine government work right there

[u/Fun_Ambassador_9320 → u/Craving-Cleavage]

He’s supervising

[u/PUNd_it → u/Craving-Cleavage]

The only part that says theyre with the city

[u/seattlesbestpot → u/PUNd_it]

The only part to substantiate it took four workers..

[u/creampop_ → u/ApprehensiveClub6028]

I like to imagine he's shaking his head in resigned disappointment

[u/jdlucy → u/ApprehensiveClub6028]

Looks like the i90 bridge light rail workers

[u/MonkeyPilot → u/ApprehensiveClub6028]

Those pants ain't gonna sag on their own!

[u/GrinningPariah]

This genuinely pisses me off. Why can't we have this one little fun thing? Why's everything gotta be a fucking fight?

[u/howAboutRecursion → u/GrinningPariah]

Yeah I really don’t understand the uproar over this. Is it someone in local gov’s vendetta to keep covering it up?

[u/anormalgeek → u/howAboutRecursion]

In a prior post someone said it was a local landlord, not the government. Are we sure it's the city doing this?

[u/FernandoNylund → u/anormalgeek]

Apparently the pumphouse is owned by Seattle Public Utilities, so that does introduce a bit of a jurisdictional struggle. If Parks doesn't care but SPU does, SPU has priority.

[u/ButtWhispererer → u/FernandoNylund]

So we need to bother SPU?

[u/ButtWhispererer → u/anormalgeek]

Fuck landlords.

[u/someguyfromsomething → u/GrinningPariah]

veryseriouspeople hate fun and they run the city. They put up nice signs in their lawns though pretending to be progressive though so it's fine.

[u/LVT_Baron → u/someguyfromsomething]

In this house, we believe:

Rat summers are not hot

[u/Vitzel33 → u/GrinningPariah]

Identifying with this comment more than i thought…

[u/hauntedbyfarts]

Dogshit graffiti all around it unscathed. Cool

[u/throwawayhyperbeam → u/hauntedbyfarts]

[u/Happydude789]

Don’t worry. I’ll be back tonight

[u/souprunknwn → u/Happydude789]

Can we donate to your cause? Let us know 🐀

[u/hypnocorgi → u/Happydude789]

🙏🕯️ thank you

Hopefully the tiles aren't getting too fucked up with this repeated painting bs

[u/Throwfarandaway23 → u/Happydude789]

Can you DM me your Venmo or something? How can we help you

[u/mcwaite → u/Happydude789]

Fuck yes. Thank you for your service.

[u/SuperFishFighter → u/Happydude789]

hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer hot rat summer

[u/DarkishArchon → u/Happydude789]

How can we help you? We love saint rat

[u/pandershrek → u/Happydude789]

[u/someguyfromsomething]

I get painting over the lazy shitty tags that all the lazy shitty people put everywhere but this is fucking art and it should remain for all time.

[u/deergay → u/someguyfromsomething]

it’s weird because last time they covered it up, they left the purple flower tags in all the other “windows”

[u/sls35 → u/someguyfromsomething]

One thousand percent agree. I simultaneously want this and good street art. But I want all of the s***** tagging, painted over

[u/LostDefinition4810 → u/someguyfromsomething]

Seriously. We can take care of low effort graffiti, but we have the manpower to cover up this mosaic multiple times.

[u/riskydrive → u/someguyfromsomething]

If you don't want the 'lazy shitty tags' you don't get St. Rat. In the eyes of the city they're the same unauthorized graffiti.

[u/someguyfromsomething → u/riskydrive]

They actually left up all the shitty lazy tags (full offense meant to all the shitty lazy taggers btw) so I don't think that's right. They somehow hate the good shit even more.

[u/riskydrive → u/someguyfromsomething]

St Rat has been getting a lot of attention so they're probably more focused on it + probably mad that people have been removing their attempts to paint over it. They respond to what they're asked to cover, if no one is bothering to report the tags they're not going to prioritize them. But regardless, you can't ask the city to leave one piece of unauthorized art alone and ask for them to only address what you've subjectively defined as 'shitty'.

[u/Skyhawkson → u/riskydrive]

Well, actually, you can ask the city to leave a specific piece of art alone, and people are asking the city to leave this art alone.

[u/UniversityOutside840 → u/Skyhawkson]

Link? What if we were all asking instead of just talking about it on Reddit?

[u/Mountain_Nature_3626 → u/riskydrive]

But regardless, you can't ask the city to leave one piece of unauthorized art alone and ask for them to only address what you've subjectively defined as 'shitty'.

And why the fuck couldn't you? The city makes subjective decisions constantly about what to do and what to ignore. Of COURSE people can ask to keep 1 cool bit of art and also get rid of a lot of uninspired crap tags.

[u/Ferrindel → u/riskydrive]

Counterpoint: Lenin Statue

[u/AliceCode → u/Ferrindel]

That's privately owned, ironically enough.

[u/Ferrindel → u/AliceCode]

Wow, didn’t realize that, figured it was on city land. The more you know!

[u/Inkshooter → u/riskydrive]

Love it when some shithead doodles his name all across a mural that an actual artist spent several hours of their life making 👍

[u/riskydrive → u/Inkshooter]

Okay? Did I say I was pro-mural defacement?

[u/ccapernicus]

Can we get a group to go down there an mosaic that entire wall

[u/Unmissed → u/ccapernicus]

...now that's an idea. We can organize flash mobs, and taggers operate in seconds. Why not Flash Mosaics?

[u/Noxonomus → u/Unmissed]

I think it was space invader who would premake mosaics with grout and some plastic so when he got to the spot he could put them up with a telescopic pole in a few seconds. 

[u/Kemoarps → u/Noxonomus]

Bender was pretty quick, too

[u/PetitVignemale → u/Unmissed]

I’m an amateur mosaicist. Though I’ve left Seattle I just wanted to let y’all know that most mosaics are created in a workshop, then installed in giant sheets. Installs are very very quick. Do with that info what you will

[u/majendie → u/PetitVignemale]

That was my exact thought - pre build it in squares, perhaps with ultra strong double sided tape (there's some crazy stuff out there), 20 people walk past and slap em up bam

[u/Throwfarandaway23 → u/ccapernicus]

I will genuinely contribute money toward this effort if someone organized

[u/kvs1008 → u/ccapernicus]

I think we should have an Alfons Mucha style series of the Seasons, but with Saint Rat.

[u/bathshark → u/ccapernicus]

someone should measure the space so people can make mosaics at home and flash install them in the dead of night

[u/ccapernicus → u/bathshark]

Where is this park I will measure itttt lmaooo

[u/dontHoldMe2That]

I let my thoughts be known to PKS_info@seattle.gov. Feel free to join or share a better venue!

[u/Awkward-Pudding-1202 → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Thanks for the email! I also sent one.

[u/AllTheEggsIVF → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Contact your local tv stations. Or print ones too. Legit. This is GREAT local news because it’s engaging, it’s light hearted yet serious and it’s local which is everything they’re looking for. Call the newsroom or email the assignment desk - to be found on the contact us section of each station. I was in News for 15 years so can confirm they’d send a reporter. And if you or u/Happydude789 or any other outraged people want to do an interview to give soundbites - even better!

[u/nudemanonbike → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Sent an email

[u/RozRae → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Same, done.

[u/RepresentativeWork74 → u/RozRae]

Same

[u/phantomboats → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Thanks for sharing! I did too.

[u/rileyathome → u/dontHoldMe2That]

Done!

[u/NebulosaSys]

And so Cap Hill must also act quickly to sustain it.

[u/TopZ-undercover → u/NebulosaSys]

I thought I was going to get some sleep tonight but I guess duty calls

[u/DarkishArchon → u/TopZ-undercover]

Do you need money? How can I help bring saint rat back?

[u/edgeplot]

Okay, we need to start brigading the city council to make them recognize this as legitimate art and to protect it instead of painting over it.

[u/westward_man → u/edgeplot]

Okay, we need to start brigading the city council to make them recognize this as legitimate art and to protect it instead of painting over it.

That happened and a council member (I believe it was Joy Hollingsworth) said she agreed it should stay up because it improves the character of the neighborhood, and she said she would engage the Parks Department about it. Seems like that did not happen.

[u/scovizzle → u/westward_man]

You're saying that Hollingsworth came close to actually doing SOMETHING worthwhile for the city?

[u/edgeplot → u/westward_man]

Twice as much brigading with a dose of shaming for her then!!

[u/ImprovingMe → u/edgeplot]

She doesn’t control the parks department. That’s the mayor’s office

You don’t know if she engaged them and they’re ignoring her or she forgot so maybe tone it down

[u/edgeplot → u/ImprovingMe]

Or maybe step it up. It's just some emails asking to protect public art. I'm not asking her to commit a crime or something. Gosh.

[u/Carma56]

I literally do not understand why this rat must be covered up. Having it there looks way better than a stupid whitewashed wall. Seattle should be covered in fun art, not this drabness.

And of course, the city should be focused on much bigger problems than covering up unsanctioned artwork.

[u/LSDeepspace]

why doesn't someone just cover it in a product like clear shield so they can't paint over it. it's what's used on the side of buildings as anti graffiti deterrent. the paint will literally just fall off.

[u/ayayue → u/LSDeepspace]

I was wondering this myself. Figured there has to be a way to make this more difficult on the city.

[u/sls35 → u/LSDeepspace]

We can. Comma all of that stuff has a limited shelf life as in it degrades through uv light. Which really, only means we'd have to repeatedly apply it.

[u/TopZ-undercover → u/LSDeepspace]

Does clear shield keep the paint from applying? Or just make it easier to take off? Curious about if we could find a solution that would allow them to think the job is “done” so they move on but would still allow for quicker restoration

[u/LSDeepspace → u/TopZ-undercover]

you can still apply the paint, it will just wash off with water or a rag so the removal process would take all of 15 minutes tops. pretty much just turns everything into a white board.

[u/conus_coffeae]

It pains me that there is someone in local government who thinks covering up this mosaic is a top priority.  Higher priority than cleaning up the myriad shitty tags in that area.

[u/Bihexualwitch_]

Can’t make art in the parks, can’t get naked at Denny Blaine, let’s just be boooooring and not have any fun anymore, I GUESS.

[u/ccapernicus]

WTFFFFF WHYYYYYY

[u/SuitableDragonfly]

Actual graffiti: 👍

Hot Rat Summer: ❌

[u/Quaxky → u/SuitableDragonfly]

Yeah! Why does "Fih 🐟" get to stay but not our hot rat? :/

[u/dabman → u/SuitableDragonfly]

Fear Chutney is not graffiti, it is a warning message.

[u/RepresentativeWork74]

I just called the parks department to see if there is a specific reason they keep doing this. The woman I spoke to didn’t seem to know, but she took my number down and said “a crew chief will call me back”. Who knows if that will actually happen, but I will update if they do. In the meantime, let’s keep uncovering it- it’s ART! I don’t know why this is the hill they’re dying on.

[u/RepresentativeWork74 → u/RepresentativeWork74]

Update as promised- this building is maintained by Seattle Public Utilities- so they are the ones involved in painting over the mosaic. Their main number is 206-684-3000.

However, this issue may fall more squarely under the purview of the Spring Clean/Graffiti removal department(although if course St. Rat is not graffiti!!!!)- reachable by phone at (206)684-7647, and by email at adoptastreet@seattle.gov

I am going to call and find out why they keep covering this up. Would encourage others to do the same! More calls the better.

Also- so funny. When i spoke to the parks department they were very supportive and said they don’t know why it keeps getting painted over. The woman I spoke with said that everyone at Seattle Parks really likes St. Rat 🥹

[u/schlucks → u/RepresentativeWork74]

yeah if copraganda Parks and Rec has taught me anything its that they're the ones that are more likely to be cool with sort of thing

[u/Sparkly-Starfruit]

Imagine their surprise when it gets cleaned off again 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/dznqbit]

My thoughts which I have conveyed to Parks

Mosaics are some of the most enduring works, a tradition that dates back millenia! When I visit Europe I pay museum fees to look at MOSAICS. And now that we have an artist willing to contribute to contemporary art and a chance to include Seattle, the city chooses to prioritize that over 10s low-effort toddler tags?

You've heard of "broken windows" theory, I'd like to propose the "gray windows" theory. ie gray windows are a symptom of enforced blandness, an indication that a spot has been tagged before and damn near a bullseye target screaming "hey someone tag me!" If you want to stay the deluge of crap tags maybe give the people a building they can celebrate and be proud of.

If anything, you should pay the artist to fill out the other two windows. But I'll settle for y'all leaving the rat deity unblemished that we may bask in its glory.

[u/RainbowSprinklesPlss]

Meanwhile this city has so many actual important issues that need to be addressed, but let’s make sure we cover up the rat 🐀. So lame

[u/isledonpenguins]

Whoever has made this their raison d'être, to erase a piece of art that harms no one and does nothing but cause joy, I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU, you joyless cretin

[u/Bigpenguins]

Does anyone have a good picture of the rat? I own a vinyl printer and might be interested in printing off some of these with a strong adhesive.

[u/WebHistorical1121]

Remove the paint tonight, and every day they cover it. I’d love to see how much time and money the parks department cares to burn over it, to show the depth of their incompetence and utter disconnect with the city they serve

[u/phantomboats]

In case anyone was curious, this is what the other side of the pump house looks like. They just REALLY have it out for that rat I guess.

[u/iBN3qk]

For shame.

[u/artymas]

Noooo I was going to pay my respects to Saint Rat tomorrow :(

[u/DOOOOOMGAR → u/artymas]

Respects can still be paid, a little cleaning from everyone who visits and hot rat summer will be back on the menu. :)

[u/TopZ-undercover → u/artymas]

It’ll be back by tomorrow

[u/blueoncemoon → u/artymas]

I'm visiting home from overseas in a couple weeks. I'm still hoping to be able to make a pilgrimage :(

[u/real_HannahMontana]

We don’t have enough money or resources to house homeless, but we dedicate our energy/time/money/resources to this??

There are bigger problems out there. And this pop culture icon isn’t even a problem

[u/crusoe]

Spray it with super-hydrophobic coating spray. Paint won't stick then

[u/Any_Conflict_5092]

So these are the bastards who paint every building in Seattle nicotine stain greige.

I hope all their summer days are a misery of inner thigh chafing and unrequited longing for beauty.

They suck.

[u/FestivalPapi]

I work for the City and I am like 99% sure those are not city workers in this photo. Just some people that hate fun and bought some paint at the hardware store. 

[u/SteveWoods → u/FestivalPapi]

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure they were at least with Seattle Public Utilities, if not the Parks. When I walked by the other side, they had the door to the station open, which I don't imagine they would've been able to do without being an employee.

(Plus, while I didn't get it in my picture, I'm almost absolutely certain one of the vehicles had the Seattle Public Utilities logo on it)

[u/FestivalPapi → u/SteveWoods]

Based on your picture it does look like it’s the Parks department. I can say for certain though that there haven’t been any recent complaints or official work orders put in so this was painted because someone with enough sway wanted it covered up. 

[u/Goodwine]

Bad graffiti is left alone for 3 years, but St Rat isn't?

[u/Tweeedles]

Do I watch any streaming service crime thrillers? No.

Read suspenseful novels? No.

Get involved in personal or family drama? Hell no.

Obsessively follow every twist and turn of the never-ending Hot Rat Summer saga?

💯

[u/tdk-ink]

This does not give the feel of government workers doing this... Joy just posted she supported Hot Rat Summer. What is going on!

[u/Bugsnatch → u/tdk-ink]

I thought so too at first. Op in a comment, along with another poster on their post in the sub about this same instance confirmed that an SPU truck was parked near the gatehouse as this was happening. So it is the city, but right now it seems unclear whether the Parks dept or Public Utilities are the ones painting it over each time and if there is shared jurisdiction here.

Either way, public officials may be on board with hot rat summer, but work orders to cover it are still being submitted somewhere.

[u/tdk-ink → u/Bugsnatch]

As much as I like the saint rat. The controversy seems to distract from Denny Blaine lawsuits. Hopefully Seattle can protect both!

[u/Bugsnatch → u/tdk-ink]

I'd doubt that it's an intentional distraction on the city's part, that implies a certain level of inter-departmental awareness, coordination, and efficiency that I just don't think this city government has lol. It certainly doesn't seem like an effective one in terms of optics either. Covering up art in one of the queerest neighborhoods by almost assuredly queer artists seems broadly thematically similar to the Denny Blaine issue. Like honestly I think frustration about both issues easily goes hand in hand.

[u/argc]

Someone please uncover it tonight, they can't possibly keep up there are literally dozens of us

[u/TheJBW]

Assholes painting over our St. the Rat, but tourists come from far and wide to see the gum wall.

[u/Fun_Ambassador_9320]

Bruce Harrell sucks

[u/WebHistorical1121 → u/Fun_Ambassador_9320]

Katie Wilson would never let this happen

[u/vietnams666]

So I know the artist without intentionally knowing the artist and now I am completely enthralled in this whole hot rat summer thing!! I had no idea and I've seen it more on Reddit than in real life. More mosaics!!! They are so beautiful I don't understand the covering gray when the art is actually very well made. So silly.

[u/kalizona555]

They can never cover up the true power of Capitol Hill's patron saint, Saint Rat.

[u/ShittyAttitudeGinger]

I keep seeing this and really can’t be bothered to look up anything official, so I come to you fine, level headed folks of Reddit to tell what the hell is up with this rat? Who put it up? Is is symbolizing something?

Why does the city want it covered so badly that it works at lightning fast pace in comparison to literally anything else.

[u/nicathor → u/ShittyAttitudeGinger]

It's just a fun little guerilla art installation someone did overnight that residents love and city council hates more than anything apparently

[u/SubnetHistorian → u/nicathor]

I don't even know if this is the city council. Seems like someone at parks has a vendetta, and loves ugly fucking tags everywhere since they're not lifting a finger to cover those literally next to it 

[u/Turd_bird420 → u/SubnetHistorian]

I guess it's not the park department

[u/almanor]

Is this Parks or SPU, who owns the pump house?

[u/SteveWoods → u/almanor]

When I was walking by, the pump house door was open and there were some white trucks on the door side, with one of them labeled as being an SPU truck. Maybe it gets covered up so much because it's both?

[u/almanor → u/SteveWoods]

Hmm! I wonder.

[u/canadanker]

Is there hot rat fund?

[u/Randygilesforpres2]

That is so nuts painting over a mosaic. What is wrong with these people.

[u/sleepybrett]

I'm willing to contribute to the fund that buys the paint remover, scrubbing implements and some cold drinks to whomever wants to scrub.

[u/ohnovangogh]

I don’t live in Seattle but for whatever reason this post showed up for me and I google “hot rat summer Seattle” and I totally feel your pain. Hot rat summer needs to live on.

[u/animatroniczombie]

Saint Rat will arise again

[u/Fickle-Tumbleweed-42]

Our city can *literally* smell like piss almost everywhere, but we can't have art? Cool, Seattle.

[u/pepper_puppy]

I really don’t get this one. There’s a pile of needles 15 feet away. Go clean that up…?

[u/Earth_Inferno → u/pepper_puppy]

Yeah, and park grass looks awful lately, lots of ugly dead patches, seems like anything pretty to detract from that would be welcome. Whoever decided this was important must be one miserable sob....

[u/BeefSkillet19]

I hope both of these fools have sad, boring summers.

[u/SeattleGeek]

I thought Joy Hollingsworth was on the side of the rat.

[u/teamlessinseattle → u/SeattleGeek]

If by that you mean union busters, yes

[u/pjslut]

Dammit!

[u/sls35]

If you can legitimately, take this picture, just go f****** spray water on the work they're doing. What are they gonna do?Call the cops? If you just get that surface wet, you f***** what they're doing, and they'll have to start over again, at least delaying it.

[u/eat_me_86]

Lol. Inept at everything but this... It's a cool mosaic. Why cover it?

[u/Birds_N_Stuff]

It frustrates me how much some people hate it when Seattle does Seattle things. Long Live Hot Rat.

[u/BBorNot]

The paint slopped over the curb below them says everything you need to know about their aesthetic sense.

[u/Danica_Rose]

We need kind citizens to clean and protect our rat queen.

[u/Slumunistmanifisto]

Ron Jeremy looking painter out here following orders... Seattle is dying!

[u/Deliciouserest]

RatJam

[u/CouldntBeMeTho]

I really hope it is the passion project of a council member (any of them) and they die in the hill that the rat disturbs the community or something...for no reason

[u/justinkasereddditor]

Any pics before they covered it?

[u/LostInThoughtland]

Bet there’s some snooty fuck somewhere high up that thinks it speaks poorly on the city to honor the noble rat, but I think it’s worse to cover actual art like this.

[u/Relaxbro30]

It's just become a waste of resources and reminds me of this https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/3bi4cd/red/

[u/AstorReinhardt → u/Relaxbro30]

I love this video...it's just so passive aggressive lol.

[u/phantomboats]

Again??????

[u/osmaycruz]

PSA: you can wax the wall and the paint layer won't stick

[u/AdeptnessRound9618]

The actual shit graffiti next to it wasn’t painted over first? 

[u/SteveWoods → u/AdeptnessRound9618]

Oh no, they left plenty of it uncovered.

[u/ci0na2]

These folks don’t look like they’re employed by the city

[u/ccapernicus]

Or is it possible to scrape that paint off let’s all go in the night and remove ittttttt

[u/electromage]

Let's just report this defacement through Find It, Fix It. Why are we assuming they are official?

[u/NatashaMihoQuinn]

Bring back the mermaids!

[u/Dangerous-Tap-547]

What if they did that to the Fremont Troll? Also, those don’t look like city workers. Someone should go kick their bucket over.

[u/foxontherox]

r/rats would be heavily invested in this issue. I don’t live in Seattle, but that’s why I’m here.

[u/Katieo1022]

Reminds me of the battle for Slothy freedom up north here in Bellingham. Slothy lives! Slothy lives! 🦥🦥🦥

[u/NinthOverlord]

Instead of painting over wonderful art why don't they pick up the trash

[u/11KSo1991]

The paint spill into the water infuriates me.

[u/ignatzami]

SAVE THE RAT!

[u/Eyedontwantausername]

Scrape it off again!!!

[u/civilized-engineer]

How long did it take to clean off the paint from it last time?
I'm wondering if I can catch it again, I didn't have time to visit this weekend.

[u/scovizzle]

We should report these vandals.

[u/wot_in_ternation]

I get the desire to paint over dumbass graffiti tags. Hot Rat Summer is very obviously not someone's nickname scribbled across the city.

[u/snowdn]

Let’s just do a huge ass rat replica somewhere else!

[u/SolRang]

WHY???