Artists fear civil rights mural could be removed

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - The artist behind a downtown Memphis mural worries his masterpiece could be taken down.

It took artists two months to create this mural. The painting features Ida B Wells, Robert Church and other imagery from the Civil Rights Movement.

When word got out that a city famous for its civil rights struggle was going to remove the mural, the social media backlash was fast and furious.

From tourists to lifelong Memphians, it's hard to find someone who doesn't like the civil rights mural along South Main in downtown Memphis.

Artists Michael "Birdcap" Roy and Derrick Dent created the 80-foot tall painting two years ago.

A few days ago, Birdcap posted to Instagram he heard the city was going to take the mural down.

"I have no interest in my artwork staying up on a wall if people don't want it there," Birdcap said.

But hundreds of people saw his post and came to the mural's defense on social media.

Criticisms about the mural include the "Black Lives Matter" slogan on it, soldiers' uniforms are the wrong color, and the family depicted is fatherless.

"A lot of nit-picking," said Melody Lee, a tourist from Knoxville. "People can make controversy out of anything."

"It's the artist's interpretation and what people feel looking at the art," said Memphian Keara Steele. "It's not just about what's shown."

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland heard the social media backlash, and Monday, his spokesperson Kyle Veazy tweeted:

Birdcap, on the phone from the Gulf Coast, wanted to thank everyone who showed support for the mural.

"I didn't expect to kickstart anything," Birdcap said. "So it's been very surprising but welcome and loved that everyone's been so nice."\

Birdcap said the Urban Arts Commission and the city approved the mural before it ever went up.

As for the fatherless family, artist Derrick Dent, an African-American man who was born and raised in Memphis, said he purposely showed a strong, single mother in the painting.

We had questions for city leaders, but they canceled an interview with WMC earlier Monday.

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