The Montpelier City Council is poised to vote to paint “Black Lives Matter” on State Street in front of the Statehouse after Gov. Phil Scott gave his go-ahead on the project.
The plan to paint the street in front of the Statehouse would replicate the painting of the racial justice slogan in massive lettering on a street leading to the White House in Washington, D.C.
“I think this Black Lives Matter statement in front of the Statehouse will just send the message that Vermont really does care about their black lives that are living here,” said Noel Riby-Williams, the organizer of the effort. “Whether it’s one life or two lives … I just think it’s a statement the state needs to make to know they’re going to be working on equity in all areas.”
Riby-Williams, a Montpelier resident, began working on the idea this week after she was approached by City Councilor Conor Casey. The two started the initiative after a protest in the capital city last Sunday, which Riby-Williams helped organize, that brought 5,000 together in Montpelier to protest against police brutality and racism.
The City Council “thought we have to do this soon to keep the momentum going,” Casey said. The state Agency of Transportation signed off just before Wednesday’s City Council meeting, he said, and the council agreed to hold a special meeting to formally vote on the plan on Friday.
“I think it could be a nice community event, something tangible at the end of the day,” Casey said. “Again I want to reiterate — we recognize the symbolic nature of this and plan on following through with concrete policy ideas.”
Although the road runs through the city of Montpelier, State Street is an extension of U.S. Route 2, so Casey worked with state officials in Scott’s office to make sure the project could come together.
Scott said in a statement that he supports painting the message as it will serve as a reminder of the hard work needed to change systemic racism.
“This is a moment where we can effect real change, both systematically and in the hearts and minds of all Americans. But that is going to take hard work, and an ongoing, daily effort to listen, learn and rethink how we do things,” Scott said. “So, I support the City’s move to paint the Black Lives Matter message on State Street because I think it will be a necessary reminder that we must make equity a priority and use this movement to drive real action that will benefit all of Vermont.”
Casey said a markup is already in the works by a local architect.
Riby-Williams said the symbolism behind this action doesn’t eliminate the need for tangible action but will serve as a reminder to all that see it.
“I think it’s a reminder to those senators that are going into work each day that they need to have that on their minds and every day work toward a better state for everyone,” she said.
The Montpelier City Council will hold a special session 11:30 a.m. today to formally vote on whether or not to paint the message and warn the community of State Street’s closure.
Painting is planned to start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and all who wish to help will be welcome to join, Riby-Williams said.
