GoFundMe page launched for BLM street mural | May 5, 2021

The text below was taken from the project’s GoFundMe page

The community of Lynn, being led by Lynn youth representing all schools in Lynn, propose a painted street mural of ‘Black Lives Matter’ spanning from Essex Street (starting in front of the court house) and running continuously past Johnson Street to end outside city hall steps.

Black Lives Matter is more than a statement. Painting Black Lives Matter serves as a reminder to the systems that remain in place that we need institutional and systemic change and that the rest of the community has joined together to be heard. In a city whose politicians constantly share in their speeches the diversity of our city as a selling point to attempt to reel more people and businesses into the city, we must stand up for the injustice that have and continue to occur that:

• Our black brothers and sisters murdered at the hands of those that are sworn to protect them
• A system that incarcerates Black people and communities of color at much higher rates and longer sentences
• Systems that incentivize keeping blacks and people of color destitute.

We demand that the elected officials and City departments put their words into action. The community of Lynn will be heard and our community painting Black Lives Matter will send a powerful message of solidarity from the entire Lynn community. This shows your commitment to our Black brothers and sisters. But we will move this project forward. We prefer to do so together and with your assistance as both servants and members of this community.

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BLM Mural petitioners meet with Mayor McGee

From Mayor McGee: “Today, I was pleased to be joined by Carlos Prudencio and Damianny Garrido to sign the council order that was passed last week by the Lynn City Council to execute a Black Lives Matter mural on Essex Street. This mural embodies more than a form of art, it will serve as a symbolic reminder that we are on a path of hope and collective healing. This visual representation will allow for marginalized communities throughout the City to have their humanity recognized.

The City of Lynn is a community made up of people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions, and we celebrate our diversity as one of our greatest strengths. The installation of a “Black Lives Matter” mural will build upon the City’s renewed commitment towards improving racial and social justice for all Lynn residents by acknowledging the fact that “Black Lives Matter.”

The above statement & photo were taken from Mayor McGee’s Facebook page

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City meetings discussing the mural

The Lynn City Council Public Property & Parks Subcommittee meeting from April 27

The Lynn City Council meeting from April 27