GOP gubernatorial candidate request's for new State Street mural denied

A Republican gubernatorial candidate’s request to have the words “Liberty and Justice for All” painted alongside “Black Lives Matter” this week on State Street in Montpelier has been rejected by city officials.

John Klar, who is challenging Gov. Phil Scott in the GOP primary, said he applied with the city of Montpelier to close State Street down on July 3, to paint the words — from the Pledge of Allegiance — near the Statehouse. However, the assistant to Montpelier’s city manager told the campaign in an email that the request couldn’t be approved.

“Unfortunately, the City can not approve an application for a street closure, less than 2 days prior to the event,” the July 1 email to Ericka Reddic, Klar’s campaign manager, stated.

Last month, with approval from Montpelier’s City Council and Scott, more than 200 people helped paint “Black Lives Matter” on State Street — as other communities across the country have installed similar street art since the killing of George Floyd in May. The project, led by a Montpelier resident and a council member, came together in about a week.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2020/07/03/gop-gubernatorial-candidate-requests-for-new-state-street-mural-denied/