In an unfortunate oversight, the city of Malmö mistakenly removed pro-Palestinian graffiti from a legal graffiti wall at Folkets Park, sparking public outrage and debates over free speech.

The graffiti, which included messages of support for the people of Gaza, was wrongly sanitized by a cleaning company hired by the city ahead of the Eurovision song contest 2024. Malmö city officials, including Martin Lundin from the street and property office, have admitted to the mistake, attributing it to a failure in communication and a lack of proper checks.

The city has issued an apology and is seeking to restore the wall in collaboration with the original artist, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the freedom of expression.

The incident, described as a "deeply unfortunate mishap" by city representatives, has raised concerns among residents about censorship in public spaces.