The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Vandals deface Black Lives Matter street mural

July 8, 2020 – Oak Park officials are expressing sadness and disappointment after the Black Lives Matter pavement mural recently painted on Scoville Avenue at Lake Street was defaced overnight.

Public Works crews were quickly dispatched and have already begun removing the materials used to deface the mural.

The Village also is working with the Oak Park Area Arts Council and the artists to determine what additional work will be needed to restore the mural to its original condition.

The mural was the idea of Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Cullen Benson, and was designed and painted by local volunteers under the guidance of the Oak Park Area Arts Council.

Officials say the mural is considered a testament to community acknowledgement of the Black Lives Matter movement that has focused public attention on the inequities and systemic racism that have such a negative impact on people of color.

Oak Park Police have gathered evidence they hope will help identify the vandals. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Oak Park Police Department at 708.386.3800. Information also may be provided anonymously by calling 708.434.1636 or online at www.oak-park.us/crimetip.