Orange County

400-foot ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural painted on downtown Orlando street near Lake Eola

ORLANDO, Fla. — Weeks after Orlando Black Lives Matter protesters first took to the streets, Orlando leaders are taking their message a step further by putting it on the street.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Commissioner Regina Hill and other local faith and community leaders joined together with a host of volunteers on Friday to a paint a street mural of the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on the pavement in downtown Orlando.

“It is always a good time to do what’s right,” Hill said.

READ: Huge Black Lives Matter mural painted on Seattle street

The 400-foot mural stretches along Rosalind Avenue in front of Lake Eola between Washington and Robinson streets.

Volunteers from across Central Florida came out to help paint the 30-foot-wide letters.

“This is a powerful place to put a message. Everyone comes by here. Everyone is looking,” said Orlando resident Timothy Law.

All that’s left to do is for contractors to add an additional coating to the mural. The road is expected to reopen Saturday morning.

Officials said the mural should last up to three years before needing a touch up.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.