Bed-Stuy's BLM Mural Block Among 'New' Open Streets

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A new batch of Open Streets officially makes a Bed-Stuy's "Black Lives Matter" mural block a pedestrian-only space.

That 0.11-mile stretch of Fulton Street is among 23 miles of New York City streets that Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday will be turned over to foot and bicycle traffic.

Artists, activists, celebrities and politicians painted "Black Lives Matter" on the street about a week ago.

The project quickly drew crowds and some mild complaints from local officials concerned about trash collection and the effect on businesses.

It also inspired copycats.

Plans are underway to paint six similar murals across the city, including in front of Trump Tower. And de Blasio — who was booed at a Brooklyn memorial for George Floyd — threw his support behind the Bed-Stuy mural. He quickly pledged to make the block pedestrians-only throughout the summer.

Its inclusion in the Open Streets program not only makes that promise official, but also allows de Blasio to edge closer to his promised 100 miles of pedestrian- and bicycle-only streets for social distancing.