A few months ago, a woman named Jody Williams got permission from Council Member George S. Brietigam III (who represents District 1) to paint a “Blue Lives Matter” mural on an electrical box in our neighborhood. It is located on Chapman and and Knott.

Recently, that painting was vandalized, with graffiti referencing the Black Lives Matter movement. Jody then redid the painting, replacing “Blue Lives Matter” with “Support Our GGPD.” She also repainted the white cop as a black cop, with a quote that reads, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent  about things that MATTER! Martin Luther King Jr.” The painting still features a prominent “thin blue line,” which is a pro-police symbol. Jody put up a sign addressed to the vandals next to this revised mural, suggesting that she will “repaint or clean this box 1,000 times to show our police officers support.”

Many of us in Garden Grove believe that this painting is divisive, offensive, and not representative of our community. It is political artwork that twists the words of MLK Jr. and uses other wording and symbolism which goes against many activist movements going on. 

By signing this petition, you are calling the Mayor, members of the council, and specifically the district 1 rep., George S. Brietigam III, to have this painting removed.