Social Justice Art Exchange Event

Black Lives Matter Plaza was renamed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in June 2020 to send a message of support and solidarity to Americans outraged over the killings of Black people by militarized police forces . Since then, Black Lives Matter Plaza has become a place of comfort, healing, and ongoing demonstrations for activists who continue to fight against racial injustice. However, in recent weeks, the District of Columbia has attempted to erase the existence of Black Lives Matter Plaza by removing the H Street tunnel artwork and sanctioning road work to remove the Plaza’s Defund the Police mural. 

The Palm Collective, in collaboration with 65+ local and national organizations, influencers and networks, is putting out a Collective Call to Action to reclaim our space on Black Lives Matter Plaza. We are joining with our artist community of musicians, dancers, street artists, painters, muralists, and inspired community members for a day of expression and exchange of art in all its forms. Our end goal is to revitalize the Black Lives Matter Plaza with the voices, sounds, and visuals of the movement. The DMV community is invited to participate in and support the Social Justice Art Exchange on Sunday, August 16, 2020 from 11am - 3pm EST at Black Lives Matter Plaza. This art action is family-friendly and welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to join forces in expressing that this movement for Black lives is far from over.

Supporters of this unifying event include Compelled2Act, Medics for Justice, Continue to Serve, Concerned Citizens, Until Freedom United DC, Fuel the People, Occupy DC, Black Onyx Movement, The Freedom Neighborhood, BLMH Coop, Freedom Riders DC, BLM Coalition, The CEP DC, Speak Up DC, DC Freedom Fighters, DC Teens Action, Capital Pride, Pride @ Harvard Business School, Marymount University, Howard Law School Student Bar Association, STAAND, March on Maryland, Our Revolution DC, Migration Matters, Earl’s First Amendment Grill, DC The Movement, The Nolita Project, Long Live Gogo the Movement, DC Bike Party, PSL DC, The Community Education Project, DC Gogo Live, and several others. Please PULL UP for this restorative action as a display of our Collective Power. Unity will continue to be our greatest strength. Due to Covid-19, we are taking extra precautionary measures to ensure public safety and social distancing are in place. We ask that all participants wear face masks. Additional face masks and hand sanitizer, cold water, sunscreen, bug repellent, etc. will be provided to participants in need.

CONTACT: Bethelehem Yirga, byirga@thepalmcollective.org

#ReclaimDC #DCCollectiveAction #ThePalmCollective #DemandDC