“BLACK LIVES MATTER in Hot Springs” installation this Friday, September 4th from 5:00 -8:00 for Gallery Walk

BLACK LIVES MATTER in Hot Springs features posters from the demonstrations and photos and videos captured by professional and novice photographers.

In late May 2020 protesters around the country, and eventually around the world, took to the streets with a common rallying cry “BLACK LIVES MATTER”. Prompted by the death of George Floyd on May 25 under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer’s knee.

The Hot Springs community joined this movement with weeks of peaceful demonstration at Hill Wheatley Plaza downtown. The demonstrations began humbly with one woman, Alix Stafford, her hand-made sign, and an invitation to a few neighbors. The rally quickly grew and continued every day for over a week, and still continues every Saturday. Each day as the crowd changed, volunteers would donate sign making supplies and as a result, dozens of signs still remain as an echo of the calls and response in support of Black Lives Matter and police reform.

The demonstrations in Hot Springs can serve as an example to other communities. Michael Honey stepped up as the cheer-leader of the events and led chants of support and visibility for the movement. Honey set the tone in remaining supportive of the Hot Springs Police and keeping the love and pride in our community at the forefront of his message. The city of Hot Springs and HSPD showed support with providing security, water and snacks, and additional trash pick up to keep the park clean and safe.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the main gallery will be closed to the public but the installation will be viewable from the sidewalk through our large gallery window.