This mural was sanctioned. The idea for the mural was brought to the city council in June 2020 but wasn’t approved until November 9th, 2020. Originally, the artists wanted the mural to say, “Black Lives Do Matter,” but the council approved “Unite Against Racism” instead. This mural was created by 24 different artists and volunteers. Local high school art teacher Randall Leach was one of the leaders of the project. He says “This is not the end. It’s not the end. This is what we can do now. We need to come to the table and have conversations to discuss what we can do to make this place better for all people.”  

This mural was paved over starting on April 12, 2021. This construction was said to be planned prior to the creation of the mural. A city council member said that this mural is only temporary, much like other murals across the state and country similar to this one. Although this mural may have been temporary, it had a large impact on the community.  

Sources: 

https://www.witn.com/2020/12/19/unite-against-racism-mural-in-greenville-ready-for-viewing/ 

https://www.wnct.com/local-news/greenville/unite-against-racism-mural-in-uptown-greenville/ 

https://greenvillenc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1694/66 

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article247095722.html 

http://www.piratemedia1.com/theeastcarolinian/article_e6aa9be4-9b92-11eb-82f9-7b392cb2abda.html 

There did not seem to be other street murals in Oklahoma City, nor other Black Lives Matter murals in general. There were a series of protests in Oklahoma City after the murder of George Floyd. On May 30th, May 31st, June 6th, and June 12th, protesters gathered in support of the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the city. Two of these protests took place on the street where this mural was painted, with the June 12th protest ending at the Oklahoma City police headquarters to confront the police over the force’s use of violence against protesters during the May protests.  

Most articles written about this mural were released before the mural was finished. Riles did outline the plans for the rest of the mural and stated that “It’s also going to say Black voices as well as the movement, and we’re going to have victims’ names and we’re going to have various communities’ flags out here, as well”.  

As of 2023, the mural has been removed. 

Sources

"Volunteers Paint Black Lives Matter Mural On Shartel - OKC, OK - News Article Locations On Waymarking.Com ". Waymarking.Com, 2023, https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm12NER_Volunteers_paint_Black_Lives_Matter_mural_on_Shartel_OKC_OKLinks to an external site.. Accessed 16 Mar 2023. 

Oklahoman.Com, 2023, https://www.oklahoman.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/arts/2020/06/24/okc-street-murals-support-black-lives-matter-more-minority-groups/5201030007/.Links to an external site. Accessed 16 Mar 2023. 

"Black Voices Street Mural, Oklahoma City, OK · George Floyd & Anti-Racist Street Art ". Georgefloydstreetart.Omeka.Net, 2023, https://georgefloydstreetart.omeka.net/items/show/3514.Links to an external site. Accessed 16 Mar 2023.