Orlando Memorial Mural Unveiled in West Village

A new mural on Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street in the West Village memorializes the victims and survivors of the Orlando mass shooting. It was coordinated by The Lisa Project NYC, a non-profit gathering artists to make street art in Manhattan.

Everything used to make the mural was donated, said Wayne P. Rada, founder of The Lisa Project NYC. Home Depot donated thousands of dollars worth of paint, he said, and tools that were needed were donated by Blick Supplies on Sixth Avenue. The New York City Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) were extremely supportive of the mural, he said. Their responses were fast, knowing how important the tribute was going to be for the Pride Parade.

The Pride Parade walked past the completed mural on Sunday. "I saw men and men, women and women, standing side-by-side reading the names on the mural. That whole experience was the thing I'm most grateful for," Rada said.

The LPC gave the mural the OK to be up for one year, Rada said. "But I hope it will have a reasonable life. It's one thing to look at it on social media. It's another thing to see it in person, and I hope many people get that opportunity."