Salt Lake City demolishes Black Lives Matter mural paintings

April 2, 2025

Salt Lake City eliminates George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s mural paintings to create a “public asset”.

Salt Lake City follows Washington, DC, in eliminating memorials related to police brutality, especially Black Lives Matter. Unlike the nation’s capital, however, Salt Lake City is demolition of murals as part of the effort to redevelop the area for economic growth.

The murals were located in an area known as Fleet Block, a section of 8.5 acres of land that was previously vacant. The space has become a focal point for community activism, with 26 murals that commemorate the victims of police violence. The city’s decision to eliminate them has attracted mixed reactions from residents.

The city declared multiple reasons for removal, including the accumulation of asbestos and structural decline. The city management also noted that maintenance -related expenses are in millions. Director of Salt Lake Municipal Council issued a statement that recognizes the emotional meaning of murals while emphasizing the need to revitalize The site that deteriorates.

“I admit that this block has been a sacred space for many in recent years – a place of mourning for families and a powerful call for social justice and police reform,” wrote Mano. “I understood how difficult it is to see this space changing … The city has been working for more than a decade for the redevelopment of the former fleet block, because the buildings were no longer structurally or environmentally viable, in order to make a public asset for the community.”

In Salt Lake City, Mural Paintings Memorializes George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others come down

“I hoped that the mural will be the change. To see them descending, (we are) we feel defeated. Now we hope that the city will remain faithful to their word.”

City officials had … pic.twitter.com/eb1u6kokux

– Lord Bebo (@mylordbebo) April 2, 2025

As part of the redevelopment plan, three sources from the site will be dedicated to a public green space, which the city officials say is very necessary. Additional land will be allocated for local enterprises, in the effort to support the area of the area.

While the city supports the project as progress, some residents consider it a loss. Mona Robinson, resident of Salt Lake City, said she mourns the removal of murals.

“It is because of the wrong reason – the death of the officers – but it was a place for us to mourn and show respect for the lost life,” Robinson said.

Some feel that the demolition of space, which present more victims The brutality of the police, including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, sends a wider message that the city no longer gives priority to its most marginal residents. Robinson’s concerns are amplified by Salt Lake City demography, because the area remains mostly white. According to the 2023 American census, 70% of the residents are white. Black people, largely The target of protests Compared to the brutality of the police, it constitutes only 2.7% of the city’s population.