ORLANDO, Fla. – The “Black Lives Matter” mural in downtown Orlando is scheduled to be removed within a couple weeks.
The city said the removal is taking place to repave the roadway as part of an infrastructure project, but it plans to create new diversity-themed art installations.
Repaving has already begun near Anderson Street along Rosalind Avenue. The project will extend to Robinson Street, which is near the “Black Lives Matter” mural.
“We’ve been left behind for so many years, you know,” resident Urania Ugarte said. “I have family in Jersey and other places would come here as tourists and they’d feel welcome. It’s just something. Very significant and some people don’t get it.”
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Nearby, artist Peterson Guerrier was getting his first full view of the new mural he created alongside the city of Orlando. The mural depicts his daughter wearing a crown next to a swan.
“We have so many colors that no matter who you are, we have so much going on, you’ll feel connected. There’s a little piece for everybody,” Guerrier said.
Guerrier said city officials already expressed interest in creating a new cultural tribute where the “Black Lives Matter” mural originally was.
Residents and visitors downtown are asked to be extra cautious for construction crews along Rosalind Avenue from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the next two weeks.
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