HIGHLAND PARK – After rainy weather three times postponed the community repainting of the borough’s Black Lives Matter mural outside Borough Hall, the event is now rescheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 31.
In May, the Borough Council approved a resolution supporting the repainting of the faded Black Lives Matter mural on South 5th Avenue. It was originally installed in June 2020 by local artists and volunteers in response to the national protests and marches following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police officers on May 25, 2020.
Borough officials had hoped to have the mural repainted in bright yellow letters in time for the local Juneteenth celebration and had scheduled the repainting for June 15.
But overcast weather that morning, along with damp road conditions and the likelihood of rain, led to the event being postponed to June 19th, right after the Juneteenth flag raising.
But on June 19, the national celebration of Juneteenth, the weather forecast included the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms so the event was again postponed to 1 p.m. June 22 after weather forecasts indicated a very low chance of rain.
But around 10:30 a.m. June 22 borough officials announced they were “surprised, and dismayed,” at the rain on a day that was forecast to have no rain.
The borough notice said the mayor announced the repainting of the Black Lives Matter again be postponed.
“We are sorry that this community initiative is repeatedly held back by adverse weather,” the notice said.
The mural was originally painted through a collaboration of the Highland Park Human Relations Commission, Highland Park Arts Commission and Highland Park Artists Collective with materials and assistance from the Highland Park Department of Public Works.
The mayor, council members, arts commission and artists collective are scheduled to participate in the repainting of the mural.
The mural has become a source of pride and significance for the borough and its residents, according to the Borough Council resolution.
According to the resolution, during the past four years the mural has faded from exposure to the weather as well as the steady stream of traffic on the street that leads to the municipal facilities and Bartle Elementary School.
The resolution states the mayor and Borough Council “are in support of the repainting of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural and the deep significance of Black Lives Matter to members of our community, as a principle that makes an important statement about the rights and intrinsic humanity of our African American community members, without regard to the interests or politics of any sponsoring organization.”
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
