New York City Mayor Plans to Install Black Lives Matter Mural Outside Trump Tower
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio contacted the Department of Transportation to discuss the feasibility of installing a Black Lives Matter mural.
Allegedly, New York City Mayor De Blasio plans to memorialize the Black Lives Matter movement with a massive mural in Manhattan, along Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th street. Reportedly, the proposal for a mural was introduced during a June 7 meeting with fellow colleagues Rev Kevin McCall and Gwen Carr. Many people applaud the Mayor for championing Black Lives Matter and regard the proposed installation as a celebration of Black heritage; a creative way to honor the victims of police brutality long after their names disappear from the headlines.
De Blasio plans to install Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower https://t.co/6nPxroY7ZK pic.twitter.com/2KymieVtHM
— New York Post (@nypost) June 24, 2020
De Blasio’s Office released a powerful statement:
New York City will paint a “Black Lives Matter” street mural outside Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, according to a statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s (D) office. pic.twitter.com/qKMjerirft
— Maggie Jordan (@MaggieJordanACN) June 25, 2020
On the other hand, other people perceive De Blasio’s seemingly considerate, laudable project as vindictive and petty, due to his decision to situate the mural directly outside the Trump Tower (which is not exactly a subtle political message). One critic asserted to a NY Post reporter, “Obviously he is doing it to antagonize the president.” Critics label this imminent project a politically charged scheme to bash the President and claim that De Blasio’s personal vendetta against Trump distracts from the central objective: attaining racial equity. Placing the mural in front of Trump Tower arguably makes the mural more about antagonizing President Trump than celebrating Black culture and commemorating the victims of police brutality.
While New York City faces soaring crime, Mayor Bill de Blasio finds time to do this… https://t.co/QilZ0VPEhP
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 25, 2020
Critics voiced their disapproval.
That’ll save New York! Make it safer! Create good-paying jobs! Symbols and stunts are all DeBlasio is good for at this point. https://t.co/8CUQfC3fFm
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) June 25, 2020
To date, the likelihood and feasibility of a mural is still being debated. Although De Blasio is determined to see this project through, it remains unclear as to whether it will actually materialize. The prospective Manhattan mural would feature bold, yellow block letters that spell out “Black Lives Matter.”
Hopefully the Mayor’s intentions are pure: to celebrate diversity and commemorate the victims of police brutality, rather than to spite political adversaries. At face value, this certainly seems like a great message.
I am a plucky Sophomore at Wesleyan University with a passion for writing, fashion, running, and extremely strong coffee—so strong that it would make a 6’5’’ WWE wrestler weep. I am a small person with a big personality, only intensified by the coffee, that seeps into both my bold street and writing style. I am currently based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area and am excited to work for such an empowering, female-focused publication. During this trying time in history it is more important than ever for women to continue lifting each other up and spreading positive energy!
