'Be Someone' bridge artist speaks after graffiti felony charge dropped

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- An artist who painted messages on the 'Be Someone' railroad bridge is speaking out after prosecutors dropped a felony graffiti charge.

The bridge is famous for its best-known graffiti - the 'Be Someone' sign, which first appeared in 2012 and has been painted over and repainted multiple times since.

In 2020, Chandrika Metivier began dangling from the bridge over the North Freeway to write messages like 'No war, know peace' and 'Vote or die.'

SEE ALSO: Artist accused of painting over 'Be Someone' sign bonded out day after being arrested, records show

"It was always only to raise the consciousness of humanity," Metivier said.

Metivier left a total of five messages from September 2020 to January 2023. A month after painting "woman, life, freedom," a felony graffiti charge was filed.

"It was sort of humiliating at first because I didn't realize that they weren't celebrating those messages as the city was celebrating some of the messages," Metivier said.

The 'Be Someone' sign itself is widely considered iconic.

There's even an online petition to make it a protected landmark.

But unlike Metivier, the artist never revealed his identity.

"I understand. I get it. It's vandalism," the artist told Eyewitness News in 2016.

RELATED: Houston's iconic 'Be Someone' graffiti returns to overpass after months

Metivier was put in a pre-trial diversion program. After completing it this month, the graffiti charge was dismissed.

"I can understand why someone might want to silence a voice like mine," Metivier said.

Union Pacific previously told Eyewitness News its issue with the graffiti wasn't about the message. The company cited safety concerns, including the potential for falling paint cans.

The DA's office told Eyewitness News in 2023 that Metivier's self-outing may have made it easier to bring charges.

"It was a little too impactful, you know? Like my voice was a little too loud," Metivier said, while ruling out future bridge paintings. "I wouldn't touch that bridge if someone paid me to."

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