New York City is showing its support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
It has been announced that the NYC parks will be renamed after black Americans. Mitchell Silver, NYC Parks Commissioner, made the announcement on Juneteenth (Friday, June 19th) at Cadman Plaza which was renamed to Juneteenth Grove.
“In my six years as commissioner, I have been committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces for staff and parkgoers, alike,” Commissioner Silver says in a statement. “NYC Parks believes Black Lives Matter- our review of park names and the planting of our renewed efforts to address inequities in our system for the city and for our employees. We are doing this, if for no other than, our Black Lives Matter.”
Silver also stated that the purpose of the renaming is to honor Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and other Black people who were killed senselessly.
The new park names will be announced on Black Solidarity Day, a day before Election Day in November.