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The mural is organized by Artists and Uptown United.]]>
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News Coverage by Block Club Chicago]]>
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Photographer: Carson Cloud from Block Club Chicago]]>
Stephen Larrick, Black Lives Matter Street Mural Census]]>

Each of the letters is created by different artists.
#: Jarrod Dortch
B: Nathaniel Rhodes
L: Rebecca Robinson
A: Amiah Mims
C: Billy Hoodoo
K: Kevin West
L: John G. Moore, Jr.
I: Gary Gee
V: Deonna Craig
E: Rae Parker
S: Ess McKee
M: Wavy Blayne
A: Harriet Watson
T: Shane Young
T: Israel Solomon
E: Shamira Wilson
R: Ashley Nora
Fist: Kenneth Hordge]]>
The “#BLACKLIVESMATTER✊🏿” street mural in Indianapolis, Indiana is painted onto Indiana Avenue, one of the city’s most influential locations and the epicenter of Black culture in the city. Created in August of 2020, the mural was created in response to BLM protests was organized by the group Indy10, and was funded by local organizations like the Indianapolis Urban League. Indianapolis City Council members approved the mural and the organizations selected 18 black artists to construct the mural. The 18 characters in the mural were all designed by different artists.  

Starting from the hashtag, the artists that created the mural are Jarrod Dortch, Nathaniel Rhodes, Rebecca Robinson, Amiah Mims, Billy Hoodoo, Kevin West, John G. Moore, Jr., Gary Gee, Deonna Craig, Rae Parker, Ess McKee, Wavy Blayne, Harriet Watson, Shane Young, Israel Solomon, Shamira Wilson, Ashley Nora, and Kenneth Hordge. Together, these 18 artists put their own style of street art into the mural which blends the unique culture into a meaningful portrayal of activism.  

Although each letter displays the artist’s style, they all have some similarities in that they are full of color and consist of sharp geometric shapes. Inside these letters, messages can be found that the artists wanted to announce to the community such as depictions of Michael Taylor, an Indianapolis teenager killed by police in 1987, and “VOTE.” Some artists decided to be more abstract but still included African symbolism that honored their heritage and culture. This mural’s creation followed weeks of protests in Indianapolis following both the murder of George Floyd, as well as the killing of Dreasjon Reed by IMPD, according to IndyStar.  

After 15 months of being visible on Indiana Avenue, the road that it was painted on was set to be paved over as Indianapolis planned construction for a 2-mile span that included the mural. City officials let each of the artists and close friends spend time with the mural before paving over the road. Additionally, they cut out a square foot of pavement in each character to let the artists keep.  

While still in existence, the mural was defaced a few times. Vandalism of the mural occurred during the night and splashes of white and gray paint covered the entirety of the mural. Although still legible, the mural was tarnished.  

Sources:  

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2021/05/28/indianapolis-riots-and-protests-looking-back-one-year-later/7478725002/ 

https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2021/10/28/indianapolis-black-lives-matter-mural-what-happen-after-repaving/8569235002/  

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2020/08/09/downtown-indianapolis-black-lives-matter-mural-defaced/3329893001/ 

Researched by Matt Becker

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News Coverage by Indy Star, WRTV, Wish TV, and Indiana University]]>
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Photographer: Scott Crone from Visit Indy]]>
Stephen Larrick, Black Lives Matter Street Mural Census]]>
Protest signs and posters on the Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence, located on the north side of Lafayette Park in Washington D.C.

One of the paper signs on the fence reads "In 1916, Racist President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating 'The Star Spangled Banner' as the national anthem. In 1931, the US Congress confirmed the decision. Here is half the 3rd verse as written by racist slave owner, Francis Scott Kelly, about the regiment of slaves freed by the English, called the Colonial Marines. 'No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.'" ]]>
The Black Lives Matter Memorial fence was a temporary chainlink fence installed in the area north of Lafayette Park and the White House from June 2, 2020, until January 30, 2021. The fence prevented public access to the area, and it also served as an important site of protest and self-expression. 

Activist Nadine Seiler played a crucial role in protecting and caring for the fence, along with Karen Irwin and other activists in a loosely-formed group informally known as the "Guardians of the Fence." Nadine Seiler and Aliza Leventhal systematically documented the fence over the course of months, and Seiler became the de facto curator of the fence. 

Additional information: 

Library of Congress blog post "Protest Preserved: Signs from D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence" 

D.C. Public Library Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence Artifact Collection]]>
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