Black Lives Matter mural to be painted in front of Burlington City Hall
Published August 7, 2020 at 6:08 pm
An anonymous artist will be painting a mural in front of Burlington City Hall to pay tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and show support for th
An anonymous artist will be painting a mural in front of Burlington City Hall to pay tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and show support for the minority black population in Burlington.
“The death of George Floyd is but one moment in a global history of systemic racism that has led to the intolerable and unacceptable loss of lives,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
“Racism doesn’t exist only in the U.S., it’s in our own city too. I thank the artist for this mural, and providing this simple reminder that we each need to do our part to ensure our city, our region and our country treats everyone with equality and respect, regardless of skin colour.”
This mural was initiated by a group of residents in partnership with the City of Burlington’s Community Initiated Public Art Policy.
“I will continue working with my Council colleagues and City staff, and listening to our residents to discover where racism exists in Burlington and how we can eradicate it,” continued Meed Ward. “The location of this art installation at City Hall is one symbol of our commitment to ending anti-black racism.”
Videos
The anonymous artist said the mural will reflect the events of May 25, when “a globally televised death of an unarmed Black man named George Floyd, exposed the deeply engrained institutionalized and systematic racism that persists in many countries throughout the globe”.
“The world could no longer turn a blind eye to the impact of anti-black racism. This day was THE day, a global reckoning began,” wrote the artist.
The painting is expected to depict “only a glimpse of the past few months”.
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns, meanwhile, said she was proud to share this mural in solidarity with thousands using their voices and peace to stand up for change, now.
“This is a symbol of making our world better by having the conversations and listening to the stories of our Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) community members. I look forward to being part of the learning process, healing process, and reconciliation that will lead to stopping racism of all kinds.”
The city says the artwork will be installed this weekend (Aug. 8 and 9) and will remain on the sidewalk until Sept. 13.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising