Phoenix City Council To Discuss Possible Black Lives Matter Mural

PHOENIX — After a summer of weekly police brutality protests and unrest in Phoenix, the city council will hold discussions for possible Black Lives Matter mural at its next meeting.

The Phoenix City Council will discuss installing an art piece around the downtown Phoenix area at its meeting on Sept. 2, according to an agenda from the city's Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Committee. It is the 19th item on the agenda and will involve a discussion and possible action. The proposal was submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.

"In numerous cities across the country, businesses, organizations and communities have been provided the ability to request, create and install street murals within the public right-of-way for artistic expression," said the proposal, naming New York City, Minneapolis and Tucson as examples of cities with existing murals.

The street mural currently being proposed by the street mural organizer would include the words "Black Lives Matter" with painted portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., César Estrada
Chávez and former United States Representative John Robert Lewis. Lewis passed away in July after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.

If approved, the street art would likely be installed near Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix City Hall or the Arizona State Capitol in downtown Phoenix.

Due to safety concerns, the Street Transportation Department is recommending that street murals be installed on a less busy street. Street closures would be required for installation and any maintenance after. The city does not currently allow street murals so the Black Lives Matter art would serve as a pilot project for the concept.

The city's meeting will be streamed live on the website at 9 a.m. on Sept. 2. Read the full agenda here.