When the news got out that a “Black Lives Matter” mural was being considered in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix City Council mysteriously tabled discussion of the proposal brought forth by the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee.
This letter, from Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua, tweeted by District 6 Councilman Sal DiCiccio, confirms the withdrawal of the item from consideration. Don’t be lulled into thinking this is the end of the matter. The council members need to hear from you. Call their offices. Then call again. They prefer emails that stack up unread. Council members meet in executive sessions, where this mural could be discussed out of public view.
Phoenix city government is a far left bastion in the middle of a red state. Though the mayor and council members deceptively run as non-partisan, their political alliances are widely known. Currently of the eight districts only three have Republican members: Thelda Williams (Dist. 1); Jim Waring (Dist. 2); and Sal DiCiccio, (Dist. 6). Mayor Kate Gallego, who issued this statement calling “Peaceful protests (against the police) valid and important,” is also a Democrat.
All of the subcommittees are dominated by Democrats. The Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee which proposed the BLM mural meets the First Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am.
Shamefully, “Operation Blue Ribbon” has not received news coverage.
Homeowners in north central Phoenix recently put blue ribbons on trees lining Central and 7th Avenue indicating support of our police. We’ve been told city workers removed them. Neighbors replaced them last Saturday and the city swooped in to remove them again. The persistent homeowners are now putting the police supporting blue ribbons on trees in their private yards. This fine idea should be emulated throughout the city.