Displaying public art on the streets of Phoenix will not cause any traffic hazard as it is being feared. 

In the fall of 2020, The City of Phoenix rejected a proposal to display a #BlackLivesMatter street mural in downtown Phoenix. The installation of the mural was proposed by Gizette Knight through a petition. Knight's proposal called for the incorporation of portraits of three civil rights leaders into the Black Lives Matter street mural: Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, and Cesar Chavez. 

Knight’s proposal faced opposition from different quarters, including a representative from the Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, Miriam A., who said “If you’re gonna make some stupid-ass mural, then defund the police and fund social programs for black communities." The city also denied a request for a pro-police street mural from Mark Spencer, a past president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. 

As much as Phoenix authorities are opposed to public art, claiming it will cause a traffic hazard, many other cities have murals in their streets. Major cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, and many others are rich in public art. Why should Phoenix remain unadorned? There has not been any evidence from these cities showing that public art can actually be a traffic hazard. Therefore, there is no substantial reason as to why the murals should not be put on the streets. Public art showcases history and culture in a beautiful way. Phoenix should have a public art program on its streets because public art and murals on the streets would have a terrific influence on our city.

Phoenix approved the 2020 Public Art Plan budget in September of that year. Mayor Kate Gallego said at the meeting that she is excited to support the projects as well as the city. “We are going to have some great shaded corridors, and we will be maintaining some of our most popular art programs,” Gallego said. 

Public art is important because it can decorate walls and make them look beautiful. Artwork can also change how we use spaces in our streets. We should get rid of the fear that public art and murals will cause a traffic hazard and embrace the beauty and cultural significance of public art.