Cities across the country including Washington DC, Albany, Sacramento, Charlotte, Dallas and Oakland have created Black Lives Matter murals on their streets in the last few weeks. With the support of local governments, they show their solidarity with the current Uprisings demanding racial justice across the country. 

An alliance of local Black organizers from Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC)*, allies and artists seek to join in reclaiming our streets to declare that Black Lives Matter by creating murals of our own (on Second Street in Hudson and Main Street in Catskill). Mayor Kamal Johnson of Hudson has committed to the Hudson mural. The Catskill Village Board of Trustees is deliberating.

While the statement “Black Lives Matter” articulates our values, we are asking not merely for symbolic support, but also demanding tangible changes in the policies and practices that govern our cities and affect Black communities disproportionately. Our demands to our local government are made in response to the trend of increasing police budgets while gutting housing, social welfare, and safety net programs that truly keep our communities safe.

This mural is a commitment locally and in concert with Black Lives Matter and Movement for Black Lives’ demands nationwide. 

WILL YOU JOIN US IN STANDING FOR HUDSON AND CATSKILL'S BLACK RESIDENTS? WILL YOU COMMIT TO SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE LOCALLY?

1. Sign this petition!
2. Donate to Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) (CLICK HERE) to fund the mural in Catskill and to further local housing justice. 
3. Email the Catskill Village Board of Trustees to approve the mural:

   • Vincent Seeley:  vincent.seeley@outlook.com

   • Joe Kozloski:      jdski250@gmail.com  

   • Natasha Law:  nlaw@villageofcatskill.net  

   • Pete Grasse:     pgrasse@villageofcatskill.net

   • Greg Smith:     gsmith@villageofcatskill.net

*Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) is a Black-led initiative that empowers public housing and low-income residents to fight for housing justice. Founded by leaders from SBK Social Justice Center, HCHC is a coalition of tenant organizers, local activists, and allies sharing resources for advocacy, legal representation, public outreach, education, and organizing. Together, HCHC will develop solidarity, mutual aid, and political power while working towards goals such as rent control, local political representation, self-determination, and municipal investment in public housing, spaces, and services. HCHC will also support the next generation of local leaders by educating and empowering youth tenants. 

Donations are collected and disbursed to HCHC by its fiscal sponsor, Freehold Art Exchange.