Dozens of volunteers took part in the Artivism Mural Project in New Haven on Saturday.
The community came together to spread awareness for the Black Lives Matter Movement by painting a series of murals across the City of New Haven.
It's a three-way collaboration between the city, Black Lives Matter of New Haven and other community groups.
One of the murals will be the city's first pavement mural. It will be on the corner of Watson and Goodyear streets and is roughly 22 by 280 feet.
“I was so grateful to be a part of this celebration of black and brown culture in New Haven,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
Organizers said the murals serve as a symbol of the change they hope to see in the community.
“What I want to see is change, systemic change, so there isn't so much violence, so many killings of Black and brown bodies and this message is an important message for people to hear and understand,” said Kwadwo Adae, who helped come up with the idea.
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Event-goers came out to register to vote, help the local economy by supporting small businesses and enjoy some open mic performances.
“We are excited about the Black Lives Matter murals that will be going up around the city and with our partnership with BLM New Haven,” said Adriane Jefferson, the City’s Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs. “This is the continuation of an emergence of art in our City that rethinks public art through an anti-racism lens and centers Black, Indigenous, people of color’s voices."
