Fresh ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest art appears in Digbeth following global protests

New street art has been painted in Digbeth today which shows solidarity with police brutality victim George Floyd and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campiagn.

The large scale wall in Digbeth is emblazoned with two huge slogans that show support for civil rights.

Local residents around Digbeth are waking up to a large slogan painted on the wall of the now demolished Renault showroom in Digbeth.

The first part of the slogan reads ‘Let Us Breathe’ which makes a reference to the poignant plea of George Floyd who kept pleading “I can’t breathe” as a white US police officer pressed a knee into the victim’s neck which resulted in a brutal death.

The words also reference civil liberties and human rights which are currently under the spotlight following heated protests both in America and here in the UK.

The second section of the slogan reads ‘Black Lives Matter’ which highlights the current human rights protests taking place around the world with people calling for justice and an end to police brutality and institutionalized racism.

The support and momentum for the campaign is growing as people demand change.

Street art is sometimes viewed as ‘vandalism’ by councils unless officially sanctioned but under the current climate some artists refuse to remain passive and are using guerilla tactics to express political and social views on the streets.

Tributes to the tragic death of George Floyd and support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign have appeared in parts of Birmingham.

There was controversy recently when Birmingham City Council rapidly whitewashed some socially conscious art in Kings Heath. An apology ensued and the art was repainted.

Today’s new street art in Digbeth is unlikely to be the last show of solidarity for George Floyd and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign.