After weeks of heated back and forth between Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump, the words “Black Lives Matter” have been painted in front of Trump Tower on Manhattan’s famed 5th Avenue.
The president has ferociously advocated against the mural, claiming the Black Lives Matter movement preaches anti-police rhetoric. But his Twitter tantrums proved unsuccessful, and the mural was painted on the very street Trump once claimed he could shoot someone and still get elected.
Among the painters, the de Blasio, his wife, and Rev. Al Sharpton, a prominent voice in the fight against police brutality and systemic oppression.
Volunteers gather in front of Tump Tower to paint a BLM mural, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A worker sets up paint and supplies in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Young volunteers gather to collect paint rollers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Workers lay the stencil for the second half of the BLM mural, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A volunteer helps paint “Black Lives Matter” in front of Tump Tower in Manhattan, July 9, 2020 Photo by Thomas Hengge
Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses volunteers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Al Sharpton and Mayor de Blasio paint in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A person livestreams Mayor de Blasio addressing volunteers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
“Black Lives Matter” painted in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
