‘It is for everybody’: Protesters block uptown street home to ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A section of South Tryon Street, where the city’s “Black Lives Matter” mural is on display, was reopened for vehicle traffic Tuesday morning.

The Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 Monday night to reopen the section of the roadway and Channel 9 was there Tuesday morning as city crews removed the barriers and cars started to drive through the area for the first time in months.

Some people, however, are not happy at city council’s decision to reopen South Tryon Street and took action by parking their cars to block the road themselves.

CMPD officers were with the protesters Tuesday night blocking the road.

“There’s tons of people that come here everyday, that stop and look at this whole street and take pictures and post it and do whatever they want to do with them,” protester Malik Leazer said. “So, it is for everybody. It is for the public. It’s not just for us. It’s for us, you, them, anybody. Anybody is welcome.”

The mural literally stopped traffic when it was first painted in June and the area had been shut down to vehicles for nearly five months.

The colorful artwork spanned the entire city block between 3rd and 4th streets, and closing it to traffic had allowed the mural to remain intact.

Assistant City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba told Charlotte City Council the street reopening was bound to happen eventually.

The move followed a city report showing mixed feedback for the closure.

“The goal was to always make it temporary,” Jaiyeoba said. “It was never to keep it in that space.”

The general manager for McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood and Steaks, which is on the block, said the mural and street closure have resulted in a 15% to 20% decreases in sales.

“There have been numerous incidents when disorderly conduct and harassment has resulted in the closing of outdoor dining,” general manager David Urbanek said.

In addition, a homeowners association in the area also pleaded for the road to open.

Councilman Braxton Winston was the only council member to oppose the reopening. He said council needs to embrace disruption and explore ways to create more pedestrian plazas, not take them away. He also said reopening the street now sends the wrong message.

“By opening up this street and letting this Black Lives Matter mural fade away we are saying McCormick and Schmick’s valet is valued more than Black lives right now," Winston said. “It is incredible we claim to be North Carolina’s most progressive city and we are squabbling or having this type of conversation tonight.”

The mural has become a popular place to visit and take pictures.

Several artists collaborated on the mural in June following the death of George Floyd. It’s been a positive symbol of community collaboration and Charlotte’s stance on racial inequality.

Councilman Malcolm Graham rejected the idea that reopening the street meant the council doesn’t value Black lives. He said the council needs to get beyond the symbolism and do big things. He called the issue “small in nature.”

“I tell you folks, it is about the action we take as a government body that says whether we are progressive or not,” Graham said.

Multiple councilmembers said they were in favor of the concept of creating pedestrian plazas as long as they are executed properly and have buy-in from the community. They also said they are sympathetic to the needs of businesses during the pandemic.

“We need to give businesses uptown a chance to survive,” Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said.

After shutting down the road to traffic, the city did a study on the impact of the closure, which ended on Sept. 30. Leaders looked at feedback from the public, 911 calls for service, pedestrian behavior, along with interviews with city staff and business surveys.

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black lives matter street mural (Alma Adams /@RepAdams)

Winston’s motion to leave the street closed until Dec. 31 did not receive a second motion.

Once the street reopens, the city plans to work with those who live and work in the area to figure out the future of Tryon Street, and how it can be more pedestrian-friendly.

Jaiyeoba said Tryon Street is expected to be repaved in 2021. He said the mural will fade naturally over time.

Program seeks to creatively transform Charlotte streets, public areas Program seeks to creatively transform Charlotte streets, public areas

Cox Media Group