Kevyn Orr, the emergency manager over the city of Detroit, has announced plans to sell off works of the Detroit Institute of Arts as part of the city’s bankruptcy proceedings. Christie’s has already been hired to appraise the priceless works in preparation for their sale.

In this video, leading figures in the campaign to defend the DIA speak about the historical significance of the museum, the political implications of the drive to sell its art, and the fight led by the Socialist Equality Party and International Youth and Students for Social Equality to organize workers in its defense.