Residents submit proposal to paint Black Lives Matter on part of 3rd street

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Some people in Wilmington want to join cities around the country in creating permanent street art with the Black Lives Matter message.

A city council member already supports the move.

George Floyd, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are the very few lives that add to the list of black lives lost.

As the world pushes for change, New Hanover County residents are also stopping at nothing to have their voices heard.

They want representation that Black Lives Matter.

“Confederate flag hater history, we don’t have that…however you fall on that side. We don’t have that. We don’t have something that when we go outside the house, we’re like, ‘Yo, that’s us. That’s for us. Like this is a town that is accepting of everything we are inside and everything we are outside, and I don’t have to hide that. I don’t feel like its problematic for me to be me when I’m looking at a street that says Black Lives Matter. ‘” Local Artist Greyson Davis said

He added that he and a group of artists are working on getting permission from town leaders to paint a portion of third street in front of the 1898 memorial.

Davis said if town leaders do approve, it is all hands on deck.

“It’s going to take a lot of hands, a lot of interested people. We want it to be a representation of all of our Wilmington,” Davis said.

Washington, D.C. started the effort, and shortly after, it was the city of Charlotte. Wilmington City Councilman Kevin Spears said residents have his support.

“I’m not in my seat, just for the soul purpose of conflict, but I think it does make a great message when you have a leader who is willing to stand with you,” Spears stated. “And I’ve always stood with my people.”

Spears said there is a number of aspects to consider first.

“Freedom of speech is protecting the first amendment, but then I think as painting the street, there’s some zoning issues that may, or zoning requirements that may come into play, and so as long as we’re inside of that, and council votes in the right way, it can be done,” Spears explained.

Davis said the project is not going to cost the city anything. They are actually using donations from the community.

Davis said the project is expected to cost around $2,000.

You can reach Davis @hpfangs to get involved.