Resident: Paint ‘Black Lives Matter’ on trail
Council interested and wants more input
Should the three words that have prompted so much discussion for the past month become part of Lansdale’s streetscape?
“My goal is to help some friends get ‘Black Lives Matter’ in that blank spot of that trail, outside the borough building along Railroad Avenue,” said resident Anthony Simpson.
Since the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, borough officials have joined calls against racism and for police reform, taken part in peaceful protests on Main Street, and in a Juneteenth solidarity march on June 19.
Simpson made his suggestion during Wednesday night’s Code committee meeting, on the heels of discussion about adding streetlights along part of the newly constructed walking/biking trail that runs alongside the borough municipal building and police station.
“Outside of the borough building, there on the Liberty Bell trail, is a nice little stretch, it’s a
blank spot: there’s a yellow line that runs down most of it, but there’s a blank spot there,” Simpson said during the meeting.
“I’m sure something like that isn’t meant to be forever. It’s just an opportunity for the community to engage in what’s going on around the country. You have protests and stuff, and that’s nice, but this is an opportunity to really make a showing,” Simpson said.
So far, Simpson told council, he has seen strong
support for the idea online; a Change.org petition calling for the words to be added had 145 signatures as of Thursday afternoon, a post on the Citizens for the Revitalization of Lansdale Facebook page had drawn over 130 comments, with a mix of likes and dislikes, support and suggestions for other tributes elsewhere, and a new “Lansdale Liberty Trail BLM” Facebook group was started Thursday.
“It’s just a starting point. I know it’s something that I know quite a few people would like to see, and it’s just an opportunity to participate in what’s going on
out there,” he said.
Council President Denton Burnell said his initial reaction was support for the concept, but wariness over what will be involved.
Legal ownership of the trail may be unclear, since it runs on borough property but next to a public roadway, on a trail funded by county grant money and with a SEPTA bus stop nearby, Burnell said, so staff will need to do some research — and the more voices who show their support, the better.
Burnell suggested those interested in voicing support can do so by emailing feedback@lansdale.
org, and email addresses for each council member are listed on the borough’s website. Simpson said he knew of others who would have voiced their support at an in-person meeting at borough hall, but were wary of signing up to attend a virtual Zoom video conference meeting, and he would help gather their feedback.
“I know you guys are worried about hostile people, but I don’t think that’s the intention here. That’s not what anybody’s looking to get involved in. They just want to participate,” he said.
“Right there, at the borough
building, with that Liberty Bell trail, I think that’s the most appropriate place for the message, considering it’s about systematic change in how we live. That borough building represents how we shape our policies, and where we shape our community,” Simpson said.
Councilman Rich DiGregorio said he liked the idea, and borough building code official Jason Van Dame asked Simpson to share a concept plan with council and staff to better see what he had in mind. Councilwoman Mary Fuller said those interested in sharing thoughts about the project
were welcome to do so via email, and noted that the recent reopening of the town’s two swimming pools was largely driven by feedback from that community.
“We certainly listened to all of the people who were in favor of reopening the pools. They came out in force via email, they didn’t all join the Zoom meeting last month, but that kind of campaign can work,” she said.
Lansdale’s borough council next meets online at 7 p.m. on July 15; for more information visit www.Lansdale.org.