New York to Rename City Streets in Honor of #BlackLivesMatter Movement

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in a press conference on June 9 that New York would follow Washington DC’s lead and name a street for the “Black Lives Matter” movement. One city in each of New York’s five boroughs would have a street renamed “Black Lives Matter” in honor of the movement.

Since Memorial Day weekend, protests have continued across the country against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

“It’s time to do something officially representing this city,” de Blasio said. “To represent the fundamental power of Black Lives Matter.” The street will also have a painted slogan of Black Lives Matter. The first will be located close to Manhattan’s City Hall. Other locations have not been announced.

“Renaming and repainting a street is a modest testament to the massive challenge ahead of us,” Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, said in a statement. “But in so doing we will, literally, set down a marker for our current goals and mark this era for future generations. I’m a history buff; as New Yorkers and visitors walk downtown past some of America’s most historic landmarks, ‘Black Lives Matter Way’ will add to that history.”

The Black Lives Matter D.C. branch issued a statement calling the measure “performative street art,” and asked for additional action from the city council.

New York City announced that it would take measures to defund the police department, but did not provide specific amounts or details.

Read all our coverage on the protests against racism in One Green Planet:

• #BlackLivesMatter: 10 Inspiring Black Voices Diversifying the Environmental Movement
• #BlackLivesMatter: Protests Against Police Brutality Continue in Full Force Across the Country
• #BlackLivesMatter: Killing Black Americans is a Public Health and Human Rights Crisis
• #BlackLivesMatter: Black Climate Activists Share their Struggles Amid Protests
• #BlackLivesMatter: George Floyd’s Memorial Service and Updates on Other Cases
• #BlackLivesMatter: Minneapolis City Council Pledges to Defund and Dismantle Police
• #BlackLivesMatter: Protestors Continue to Press for Defunding Police Departments and What That Means

Here’s what you can do:

Many organizations like Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, and the NAACP are working to empower black Americans and achieve justice for those impacted by racist systems.

Also, remember to register to vote if you haven’t already. This is one of the simplest ways to make your voice heard as a citizen.Here are some resources for you:

Places to Donate:

• Donate to Black Lives Matter here.
• Get involved with your local BLM chapter: The full list is here or start your own.
• Many protestors are getting arrested and being held. Donate to bail funds in your city, here or here.
• HBCUBuzz has a listing of lawyers and legal resources for protestors, organized by state.
• Resources and donations by the National Police Accountability Project.
• Learn about Campaign Zero, which works to end police violence in America.
• The New York Times has put together an anti-racist reading list.
• National Black Bailout Fund, which works towards ending systems of mass incarceration and freeing imprisoned black mothers.
• Visit Louisville Community Bail Fund to contribute towards bail for protesters in Louisville.

Petitions to Sign:

• Justice for George Floyd
• Petition to end medical racism
• Justice for Breonna Taylor
• Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
• Justice for Tony McDade, Black trans man killed by police
• Sign the “Justice for George Floyd” petition on Change.org
• Color of Change launched a petition asking that all the officers involved in Floyd’s death are brought to justice.

For a more extensive resource list, please see the collection put together by Black Lives Matter.

Through this grief and anger, we must unite and work together to create the change we want to see. Let’s make sure no black child has to ever say these heartbreaking words ever again.

If you’re attending a protest, please be safe and careful and maintain social distancing, if possible.