CLIFTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A Black Lives Matter mural on a Garden State Parkway underpass in New Jersey will come down after local complaints.
The mural, painted in Clifton by a local 19-year-old earlier this month, features the text “use your voice” on one side of the underpass and “infinite possibilities” on the other. The messages are accompanied by a depiction of clasped hands, a heart symbol and a raised black fist.
The artwork drew complaints from residents, according to local reports. Clifton officials at first ordered to cover the fist, a symbol closely associated with the BLM movement, calling it the most divisive part of the mural, NJ Advance Media reported.
Now, after the image was partially painted over, officials at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority have ordered for the mural to be removed completely.
Tom Feeney, an NJTA spokesman, told NJ Advance Media the decision to remove the art was not based on its message.
“The Turnpike Authority does not permit people to paint on Turnpike or Parkway bridges,” Feeney said in a statement. “The content of the painting doesn’t make any difference.”
May Yuasa, the artist behind the mural, received approval for the project from Clifton City Manager Dominick Villone, the Bergen Record reported. She told the paper the artwork was meant to celebrate her hometown and added that it was “disappointing” some were projecting a political message onto her work.
"As the artist, I intended for this to show unity and to celebrate Clifton's diversity," Yuasa said. "I'm confused as to why it offended anyone."
Feeney told 1010WINS the NJTA was not involved in the approval process. Clifton residents first alerted NJTA to the mural Tuesday and the agency subsequently sent workers out to photograph it, he said.
“There was no objectionable content in the pictures we got. It looked like a lovely mural – well done and with a very positive message,” Feeney said. “But that’s not the issue for us. You can’t paint on Turnpike or Parkway bridges, no matter what you’re painting.”
Villone did not respond to a request for comment from 1010WINS, but he told NJ Advance Media that he wanted to “find somewhere else” for such a project, adding “The children should have a voice in this community.”