New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Residents paint Black Lives Matter mural
NEW HAVEN — Residents came together to emblazon the words on the street Saturday, painting them brightly and boldly so the world could see: Black Lives Matter.
The community mural, the first planned in New Haven, was welcomed by the city of New Haven Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, in conjunction with Black Lives Matter New Haven, community organizers, and local artist Kwadwo Adae, according to a release from city spokesman Gage Frank.
Ala Ochumare and Sun Queen, co-founders of Black Lives Matter New Haven, said they wanted to help organize the project to help residents be in community with one another, share art and affirm the idea that the lives of Black people are valuable, with an equal claim to dignity and respect.
Queen said residents were coming together in harmony and love to share the space, spending the day sharing stories, poetry, offerings from vendors, painting the mural, and enjoying one another’s company. The day, she said, demonstrated “Black joy.”
“This is our community, so it’s very important to do a mural,” said Queen. “I hope that we can continue to show what community looks like... that we will transform and heal together.”
Ochumare said she grew up on Goodyear Street, just around the corner. Although she had done other work with Black Lives Matter New Haven, this was the first time she had worked with the city to pull off a project of this kind. The fact that it was happening, she said, demonstrated that New Haven is a special place.
“It feels amazing,” said Ochumare. “I’m really excited about this.”
Mayor Justin Elicker said community residents had come forward with the idea. A second mural is planned for Temple Street, he said, with a third in the offing as well.
“It’s inspiring to see community members come together, not just to paint some letters on the street, but to proclaim very loudly the value of Black lives in our community,” said Elicker. “The most important thing is the work that needs to be done to confront systemic racism.”
Elicker said that he was struck by the prominence and clarity of the message. It demonstrated leadership, he said, and served as a reminder of the work left to be done in society, from addressing income inequality to providing affordable housing to stopping police brutality.
Ochumare and Queen said they hoped to paint murals in every neighborhood in New Haven.
Adae said in a statement that he was “overjoyed to see so many public art projects being installed in the City of New Haven during the difficult times we have all been collectively experiencing during the pandemic.”
Among other residents, Carmen Lawson-Fernandez, 7, and Khloé Lawson-Stewart, 10, came out to help paint the mural.
Talannamonique Miller, who watched over them, said it was natural. She is involved in the cause as a community organizer with the Citywide Youth Coalition; they live nearby on Huntington Street.
Lawson-Stewart sat on the street in the sunshine, dabbing a brush in yellow paint and brushing strokes onto the road.
She said she was really excited to be able to take part. When people look at the mural, she said, she hopes they consider the importance of Black lives.
“I hope that we can continue to show what community looks like ... that we will transform and heal together.”
Above, residents came together to paint a mural honoring Black Lives Matter on Bassett Street in New Haven Saturday.
At left, Khloé Lawson-Stewart, 10, helps out.