In the aftermath of the widespread protests of 2020 that focused on racial justice across U.S. cities, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” transcended its origins as a rallying cry, becoming a prominent feature on the very streets where demonstrations took place.
Following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, municipalities nationwide commissioned artists to create BLM street murals as a public display of solidarity with the burgeoning movement addressing police brutality and systemic racism. These murals emerged as a response to unprecedented multiracial mass gatherings.
Five years later, many of these artistic expressions are maintained by dedicated activists and community groups. However, the effects of natural wear and tear, construction projects, and instances of vandalism have led to the disappearance of others. Notably, the mural widely regarded as the initial inspiration for this movement – a striking display of 35-foot-tall yellow capital letters painted on a street adjacent to the White House – is no longer present.
In March, Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, D.C., directed city crews to remove the BLM mural. This action followed pressure from the Republican-led Congress. Bowser acknowledged the mural’s significant impact, stating that it “inspired millions of people and helped our city through a painful period,” referencing its initial creation as an act of defiance against President Donald Trump’s administration.
Keyonna Jones, one of the seven artists who contributed to the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza, expressed understanding for Mayor Bowser’s decision. She emphasized that the mural’s removal does not diminish its historical significance. “To see it replicated all over the world within 24 hours,” Jones noted during the plaza’s demolition, “I think is what really speaks to the power of art, and so that is my favorite part about the whole experience.”
According to data compiled by Urban Art Mapping, a database dedicated to public street art, approximately 150 “Black Lives Matter” murals still exist across the country.
Lindsey Owen, an art historian based in Chicago, highlighted the role of these murals in representing the collective cultural and political sentiments of a community. “Even as BLM Plaza is dismantled, the reciprocal mirroring of these murals ensures their persistence,” Owen stated, “now also reflecting the absence of spaces that have been removed.”
The following details some notable examples of BLM murals across the United States:
Alabama
In 1899, Hobson City established itself as Alabama’s first self-governed all-Black municipality. In 2020, residents, including Mayor Alberta McCrory, commemorated this history by painting “Black Towns Matter” on the city’s main thoroughfare, Martin Luther King Boulevard.
In Montgomery, a temporary installation was created around the Court Square Fountain, a site historically significant as a former slave market. City officials have indicated that this mural will be removed once signs of wear become apparent. Michelle Browder, the artist behind the Montgomery mural, explained that her design reflects the area’s history and that the community’s collaborative effort in completing the mural demonstrated a readiness to confront racial inequity. Browder noted, “It gives us a sense of uniqueness and shows that our statement has not only significance but also invites people to look down, read and reflect on what happened in this space.”
California
In downtown Oakland, residents and community organizations collaboratively painted “Black Lives Matter” across three blocks of 15th Street. Subsequently, The Queer Healing Arts Center erected another mural a month later, specifically honoring Black Trans and Queer Lives. The city council in neighboring Berkeley subsequently approved the creation of a BLM mural in front of city hall. In Los Angeles, along Hollywood Boulevard, a rainbow-colored mural prominently displays “All Black Lives Matter” along the center lane, celebrating both the BLM movement and transgender people of color. Mural designer Luckie Alexander asserted that the mural’s message remains profoundly relevant today. Alexander commented, “Seeing the BLM Plaza (in Washington) destroyed feels like we are going back in time, when Black folks and LGBTQ+ had to struggle just to exist. With the one here in Hollywood still remaining, it gives me hope that California is still a safe place to live.”
Connecticut
In Hartford, a Black Lives Matter mural, with each letter uniquely painted by a different artist, was created on Trinity Street, situated near the State Capitol. This mural underwent repainting in 2023 after it was defaced with a swastika. Andre Rochester, who contributed to painting one of the “T”s in both 2020 and 2023, explained that the mural represents the city’s Black and brown population. “It was placed with intention,” Rochester stated, adding, “It makes a loud statement, that the City of Hartford cares.” Tyrone Motley, who painted the “V” during the 2023 repainting, emphasized the importance of Hartford’s continued protection of the mural amidst the disappearance of others nationwide. “I feel work like this is ageless,” Motley said. “I’m pretty sure in 10 years people can look at a piece like this and still get the message.”
Florida
A “Black Lives Matter” mural located in St. Petersburg was repainted in 2023 with the revised message “Black History Matters.”
Illinois
In Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, a 100-foot “Black Lives Matter” mural was vandalized and altered to read “All Lives Matter.” The original message was later restored.
Minnesota
In Minneapolis, the city where George Floyd’s killing was recorded by a bystander, 16 artists collaborated on the creation of a “Black Lives Matter” mural displayed in 24-foot-high letters on the street outside the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum.
Missouri
In Florissant, activists attempted to create a mural in front of the police department on North Lindberg Avenue; however, the city repeatedly painted over their efforts. In Kansas City, six murals were painted across a single block, spanning a total of 2,000 feet. These murals underwent enhancements in response to vandalism, although some are now showing signs of deterioration.
New Jersey
In Jersey City, a block-long mural on Grand Street required two weeks to complete. In East Orange, a large-scale mural covering 9,000 square feet was created through the participation of 100 individuals.
New York
In New York City, a mural positioned in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan, along with others located in Harlem and Brooklyn, were defaced with black paint by anti-abortion protesters.
Texas
In Dallas, six murals were painted across the city in 2020. Abounding Prosperity, Inc., an organization providing health services to the Black community, secured private funding to ensure the long-term maintenance of these murals for a period of ten years.
Washington
A permanent BLM mural was established in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The city collaborates with the Vivid Matter Collective, an artists’ group, to repaint and maintain the mural on an annual basis. In 2021, a second mural was installed outside Seattle City Hall, with the Vivid Matter Collective scheduled to repaint it in June of the current year.
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