Cambridge Indivisible Statement on the Unveiling of “Shine Your Light” Mural
Miriam Moran’s powerful new mural, ‘Shine Your Light,’ celebrates the richness of our diversity—but the absence of many Hispanic neighbors at its unveiling, out of fear of ICE, is a tragic reminder that we must stand together to protect immigrants and build a community where everyone belongs.
CAMBRIDGE, MD — Cambridge has a new jewel in its crown of public art. On August 9, local muralist Miriam Moran unveiled “Shine Your Light” on Cedar Street, a breathtaking work commissioned by the Dorchester Center for the Arts and supported by the Maryland State Arts Council. The mural is now part of the Cambridge Mural Trail, adding to our city’s growing reputation as a place where art and history live side by side.
Moran’s vision is profound: a celebration of Latinx heritage, resilience, and unity woven into the fabric of everyday life. The mural depicts farmers, highway workers, grandparents, children, artists, dancers, and even local wildlife—honoring both ancestral traditions and the unsung labor that sustains us. Figures like an Aztec child, a Taino artist, a Bomba dancer, and the late Gloria Rojas—who chronicled Cambridge’s story through the Dorchester Banner—remind us that our diversity is not an accessory to our community; it is the heart of it.
Miriam Moran is more than a muralist. She is a self-taught Puerto Rican artist with Taino heritage, who transformed personal trauma into a mission of resilience and healing. After surviving a devastating car accident in 2007, Moran turned to art as restoration, launching her “Painting for a Purpose” initiative to uplift communities and tell their stories. Over the past decade, she has created works honoring Harriet Tubman, veterans, and Cambridge’s own youth, while mentoring the next generation of artists. Her impact has been recognized by the Maryland State Arts Council, the City of Cambridge, and even the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Moran’s work is a reminder that art is not decoration—it is power, purpose, and belonging.
But as beautiful as the unveiling was, it was also marked by an absence that should stop us all in our tracks. Many of our Hispanic neighbors stayed away—for fear of ICE. That is not only a tragedy, it is an indictment of a system that weaponizes fear and keeps families in the shadows. No work of art, no community gathering, no act of civic pride should ever be one where people feel unsafe to show up. When fear silences part of our community, all of us are diminished.
At Cambridge Indivisible, we refuse to accept that fear is the price of living here. We know the truth: the richness of our diversity is our richness. And we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our immigrant neighbors until that truth is reflected not just in art, but in action.
That’s why we invite everyone to join us for our upcoming Signs of Solidarity canvass on Saturday, September 6 from 10 AM–1 PM. Together, we’ll visit small businesses across Cambridge, inviting them to hang posters declaring their support for immigrants and their rights. These acts may be simple, but they are powerful. They say: You belong here. You are essential. You are protected.
Let “Shine Your Light” be more than a mural—let it be a call to action. Let’s make sure that next time, every neighbor, from every background, feels safe enough to stand in the sun and celebrate who we are—together.
RSVP for Signs of Solidarity: mobilize.us/cambridgeindivisible/event/833283
Learn more about Miriam Moran: artistmiriammoran.com/about
About the mural: WMDT Coverage
For interview opportunities or additional information, please contact Michelle Fowle at info@cambridgeindivisible.org or call/text (410) 571-4862.
