California school draws crowd to view mural some call racist

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Over 100 people packed a San Francisco public high school to view a controversial mural criticized as racist and degrading for its depiction of black and Native American people.

Officials allowed visitors to see the "Life of Washington" mural Thursday after the San Francisco School Board voted last month to paint over the 83-year-old fresco.

Most of those at the viewing were against destroying it. They collected signatures on a poster that read "Educate Do Not Eradicate" and said they will present it to the school board.

Amy Anderson, who is of Native American descent and has a child enrolled at the school, was one of a few people at the viewing who supported the board's decision.

Anderson says the paintings don't depict her ancestors in a good light.