Photos By Gail

In the past few weeks, the city streets have become a canvas for protest art spawned in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by the police.  On one of my regular evening walks this week, I spotted this small mural of George’s likeness, bearing the words ‘justice’ and ‘coexist,’ at the corner of First Avenue and East 13th Street. You can see that someone has placed a prayer candle on the sidewalk in front of the mural, but it’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention, because the mural sits below eye level.

This mural is entitled Justice, and it was painted by New York-based Japanese artist Dragon 76 (@dragon76art). Update: As of July 25th, 2020, this mural has been painted-over as a black background with the word “CoExist” in white. New photo below!

Everyone should be familiar with the basic facts of how George Floyd died, but it case you aren’t, you can read it in the above photo. This is one of a series of stickers posted along Avenue B with the names and stories of black people who have lost their lives to police brutality and racially motivated violence. It is extremely sobering but also inspiring to join this call for justice.

Photographed Outside Fishs Eddy on Broadway Between 19th and 20th Streets

Say Their Names.

In the windows of closed businesses, merchants and residents stand in solitary with our African American neighbors.

Let us not allow this moment in time to pass without enacting real change, starting within ourselves.

I found this one in Freeman Alley.

George Floyd’s sacrifice will not be in vain.

Rest In Peace.