Black Lives Matter Street Art Around the World
A mural in memory of George Floyd. Created in Minneapolis by artists Xena Goldman, Cadex Herrera, Greta McLain, Niko Alexander, and Pablo Hernandez. Photo courtesy of Colossal.
By Marnie Kunz
Black Lives Matter street art around the world is calling out for an end to police brutality and inspiring strength to fight racism. Street art has long been a channel for the unheard to express themselves and make public statements. Street art is in itself protest art, and now street artists around the globe are showcasing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, in vivid color on walls from NYC to Birmingham, England. Here is a look at some of the protest art making waves on the streets:
"We want to call attention today to making sure our nation is more fair and more just and that black lives and black humanity matter in our nation." - @MayorBowser
— ABC 7 News - WJLA (@ABC7News) June 5, 2020
'Black Lives Matter Plaza': D.C. street near the White House gets a new name and sign. https://t.co/f3urAuC0Dn pic.twitter.com/75OnjZEz5C
Washington, DC Black Lives Matter Art
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has Black Lives Matter painted in the streets of DC, spanning two blocks on 16th Street, leading to the White House. DC city workers and volunteers collaborated to paint the bright yellow lettering that is making a big statement in support of the movement.
Mayor Bowser also renamed the street Black Lives Matter Plaza to show support for the growing protest sparked by the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd.
George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police after they were called by a deli worker to come check if 46-year-old Floyd was using a counterfeit $20 bill on May 25.
Police responded extremely aggressively, with 3 officers on top of Floyd. White officer Derek Chauvin pushed his knee down on the back of Floyd’s neck for a over 8 minutes, even after Floyd stopped breathing and died.
Video captured at the scene went viral and sparked outrage in what has become an ongoing narrative of racist police violence against people of color in the U.S. You can read more of the story here.
Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington. DC.
Minneapolis Murals
Minneapolis artists are paying tribute to George Floyd in the city he was killed in with memorial and tribute murals.
The artists, from left to right: Niko Alexander, Cadex Herrera, Greta McLain, Xena Goldman, and Pablo Helm Hernandez. stand in front of the George Floyd memorial mural that they painted in Minneapolis. Credit: courtesy Cadex Herrera
Detroit Protest Art
Detroit artists have taken to the streets as well, voicing their support for true equality. Mural artist Brandon Bmike Odums painted a stunning mural of support for racial justice in Detroit.
Mural in Detroit by New Orleans street artist Brandon Bmike Odums. Photo from MASA, by @drb_lo.
Tucson Black Lives Matter Street Art
A group of black Tucson street artists have joined together to support the movement, creating a Black Lives Matter mural project lining the city’s streets. Muralists Robbie Lee Harris, Adia Jamille and To-Re-Nee Wolf are gracing the walls of businesses in the Old Pueblo neighborhood of Tucson to spread the message.
Robbie Lee Harris in front of his artwork in Tucson as part of a Black Lives Matter mural project. Tucson muralist Joe Pagac secured the wall space and bought the paint for the project. Photo by Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
New York City Black Lives Matter Art
Many NYC artists have created works that advocate for the Black Lives Matter cause and an end to racism and police brutality.
In a city that became the epicenter of the world’s coronavirus outbreak, the Black Lives Matter NYC protest movement has also become one of the largest in the world.
With thousands of protesters taking to the streets every day since Floyd’s death, many clad in masks to prevent coronavirus spread, the city has awoken from months of quarantine to put pressure on the government to stop supporting police brutality and racism against black people.
With a city-wide curfew for the first time since World War II in New York City, many protesters remain resolute and continue to march, despite an aggressive NYPD response of arresting thousands of protesters and invoking the very violence the protesters are decrying against them.
Brooklyn artist Bianca Romero created a beautiful Power to the People mural on Houston Street in NYC.
NYC subway graffiti artist Subway Doodle also has painted for racial justice, with this Black Lives Matter mural in Gowanus, Brooklyn at what he has declared the Wall of Justice on Union Street and 4th Ave. in Brooklyn.
Manchester, England George Floyd Mural
The street of Manchester, England pay tribute to George Floyd as well, with this mural in the Northern Quarter as well as protests throughout the city and country.
George Floyd mural in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Paris Protest Art
Parisian artist have joined the Black Lives Matter movement as well, with vibrant art throughout the city. The beautiful piece pictured is by French artist Sitou Matt.
LA Street Art Supporting Black Lives Matter
Los Angeles’ vibrant street art scene has artists creating anti racism and Black Lives Matter street art. This striking artwork by Hijack art is on Fairfax in LA.
Are there more murals we haven’t included here? Comment with your city’s murals below.
Related Posts: Equality on Global Running Day, NYC Pride Murals
Resources: Black Lives Matter, Murals and Street Art app (MASA)
