Commissioners in a Southwest Michigan city denied a petition to paint a Black Lives Matter street mural, backed by students of the local high school near the proposed street art.
Similar murals have been installed or proposed in cities nationwide.
St. Joseph, Michigan, students and advocates of the mural aimed for the “welcoming message,” particularly facing its neighbor, Benton Harbor, an 85% Black city. The population is 87% white in St. Joseph, the Associated Press noted.
Some opponents, however, argued the mural could cause traffic and even violence, according to the AP.
Mayor Mike Garey said the Black Lives Matter message on a city street would invite more requests, and commissioners are willing to work with students to find another option.
“By allowing anybody to paint any slogan on a city street would prevent us from having any control of future requests, and it’s all based on First Amendment rights,” Garey said. “The city commission is now moving forward, working with partners who supported the concept to create a better solution.”
St. Joseph student Caitlin Sullivan said “if you truly believe that Black lives matter, you would not be afraid to upset a few people.”
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