Bed-Stuy Black Lives Matter Mural Closes For The Season

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A section of Fulton Street that has become a hub of community activities — and even a wedding — since the Black Lives Matter mural was painted in June has reopened to traffic.

The mural, which stretches from Marcy Avenue to Brooklyn Avenue, reopened to cars on Monday afternoon, the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID confirmed with Patch.

It comes about two months after what was apparently an original timeline of keeping the mural open from June until Labor Day, BID Executive Director Medina Sadiq said.

"There was constant back-and-forth as the businesses complained, but that was what I was originally told," she said.

But the closure isn't the end of the mural.

Sadiq said the street will likely be closed a few more days before the end of the year, including on Black Solidarity Day, held on Election Day in November. Council Member Robert Cornegy also has a "Battle of the Bands" celebrating historically-Black colleges and universities planned to take place at the mural this weekend.

Monique Antoine, program director of the Bed-Stuy Collective, which led programming at the mural, said there are plans to open Fulton Street for an extended period again next year.

"Although the Mural is closed for the winter, there are plans for it to reopen next season with more robust programming and an economic development plan to improve the overall Fulton Street corridor and beyond," she said. "We thank everyone that has been outspoken regarding the need for open streets in Bed-Stuy and supported the Mural through physical and financial support."

Bed-Stuy Collective has held weddings, comedy nights, cultural celebrations and more at the mural the last few months. The organization was started, in part, to help businesses that were suffering financially during the coronavirus crisis.

Some businesses, though, have said that having Fulton Street closed for the mural activities further hurt their bottom line.

Sadiq said problems with traffic and bus routes on side streets also became a concern.

"We need [The Department of Transportation] and other government agencies to investigate the safety of taking over the street," she said.

DOT and Council Member Robert Cornegy's office did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comments about the future of Fulton Street.

Antoine suggested residents interested in updates should follow their Collective on Facebook and Instagram.