On July 2, 2023, officials in Austin covered the beloved street mural reading 'Black Artists Matter', following an order from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The mural, created by community members in June 2020, was part of a response to the racial justice protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd.
Background of the 'Black Artists Matter' Mural
The mural was painted over 72 hours by nearly 70 local artists and activists, led by the Austin Justice Coalition and Capitol View Arts. It was situated in East Austin's Sixth Square District, an area historically significant for the Black community, especially near the Victory Grill, a gathering place for Black soldiers after World War II.
Adams, the executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition, recalled the joy the mural brought to the community:
“I still remember those couple of days and how much joy it brought to the artists who participated, as well as how seen the Black Austin community felt.”
Governor Abbott's Order and Its Implications
In fall 2022, Governor Abbott mandated that Texas cities remove all political ideologies from public roadways, threatening to withhold funding from non-compliant municipalities. He described the initiative as a way to enhance roadway safety and uniformity, but critics argue it aims to erase Black and LGBTQ+ history from public visibility.
