City of Austin paints ‘Black Austin Matters’ mural on Congress Avenue
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On Tuesday, a mural with large, yellow letters saying “Black Austin Matters” was painted down the street of Congress Avenue between Sixth and Ninth Streets.
On Tuesday, a mural with large, yellow letters saying “Black Austin Matters” was painted down the street of Congress Avenue between Sixth and Ninth Streets.
Photo: Austin Transportation Department
On Tuesday, a mural with large, yellow letters saying “Black Austin Matters” was painted down the street of Congress Avenue between Sixth and Ninth Streets.
On Tuesday, a mural with large, yellow letters saying “Black Austin Matters” was painted down the street of Congress Avenue between Sixth and Ninth Streets.
Photo: Austin Transportation Department
On Tuesday, a mural with large, yellow letters saying “Black Austin Matters” was painted on Congress Avenue between Sixth and Ninth Streets.
The city of Austin wrote on its Facebook Tuesday that the mural represents the city’s commitment to racial equity and improving policies, practices and outcomes. The recent protests in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement was sparked after the death of George Floyd, a man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis.
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The mural comes from Capitol View Arts and the Austin Justice Coalition in partnership with the city’s Economic Development and Cultural Arts Division and the Transportation department. The Austin mural mirrors similar moves made in cities across the country after “Black Lives Matter” was painted along a street heading toward the White House in Washington earlier this month.
Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler also posted about the mural on his Instagram account, writing community members used the street art to “lift up” voices and “raise awareness.”
In a letter on Sunday, the mayor wrote that the Austin City Council unanimously moved toward re-imagining a new model for policing, setting goals for zero racial disparities in interactions with the Austin Police Department. The city has also launched a path to reinvest tax dollars in community services and support.
Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre
