Two police advocacy groups sent a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio last week asking for the chance to create their own street mural after the city allowed and showed support for the Black Lives Matter street mural in Manhattan.
“It has come to our attention that you generously allowed and supported the painting of a ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural on the 5th Avenue in Manhattan to bring more awareness to the issue of systemic racism and discrimination against African Americans,” the groups’ letter stated. “We applaud your support of the cause.”
We have respectfully requested permission to Mayor @BilldeBlasio to bring awareness to the daily physical & verbal abuse officers endure daily & the many officers killed yearly.#bluelivesnatter @JoeBorelliNYC @realDonaldTrump @VP @FoxFriendsFirst @ffweekend @ImperatriceV pic.twitter.com/6cHIJNvOiv
— Blue Lives Matter NY (@BlueLivesNYC) July 15, 2020
The groups, Blue Lives Matter NYC and Standing Up for NYC, went on to say that they want to paint the words “Blue Lives Matter” on the street near 1 Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan. “Blue Lives Matter” is the slogan that calls attention to the dangers police officers face every day.
“As you may know, as of today, over 30 police officers have been killed in the line of duty by firearms this year alone,” the letter continued. “On behalf of a non-profit organization “Blue Lives Matter” and an online community “Standing Up for NYC” we would like to raise awareness regarding preventable murders of those who swore an oath to serve and protect their communities, and honor the lives and memory of public servants whose heroic lives ended too soon.”
The letter said that the groups would use their own funds and resources to paint the mural and provided an alternative location for the mural on Broadway near its intersection with W 45th Street.
“We count on your unbiased support,” the letter said.
According to NBC New York, City Hall said it was reviewing the request. Some reportedly said that it would be perceived as a challenge to Black Lives Matter, while others believe that the current murals are anti-police.
The groups’ request came the same day that that Mayor de Blasio helped paint the city’s latest “Black Lives Matter” mural along Morris Avenue in the Bronx. Currently, there is a city-funded “Black Lives Matter” mural in each borough, including the one on Fifth Avenue in front of Trump Tower.
That same day, the New York State police union called for all uniformed troopers to be pulled out of the city after police reform laws were passed by the City Council and signed into law by Mayor de Blasio. The union believes the language in the law is too broad, opens troopers up to civil or criminal charges and could make it almost impossible to arrest violent offenders.
