BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - After years of debate, the controversial “Everybody Loves a Parade” mural in downtown Burlington was taken down Thursday morning.
The first panels came off around 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
“I think it’s about time, it’s been overdue,” said Tony Redington, a Burlington resident.
“I think it’s stupid to have it come down,” said Larry Oliver of Burlington.
No matter your opinion of it, The “Everybody Loves a Parade” mural overlooking Leahy Way was a popular landmark for Church Street visitors.
“It was always something that when we had family come visit we would show them when we would come to Church Street,” said Liam Coulter of Essex.
The mural on private property connects the parking garage to Church Street. It went up in 2012 and was paid for through fundraising efforts by the Church Street Marketplace. At the time, the mural featuring notable Vermonters from past and present received a warm welcome.
“There’s so much history up here and people don’t play it up enough, and this is phenomenal,” said Vermont visitor Rodney Rose during the 2012 unveiling.
But in the years to follow, the mural has received some push back. Opponents said it was not inclusive.
“The mural is racist, classist, sexist, historically inaccurate, and benefiting and elevating business owners above the working class,” said Burlington resident William Davenport during a 2018 city council meeting.
The mural remained an issue at city council meetings for years until the council voted to take it down in 2022. That decision was followed by vandals defacing the mural several times.
“Vandalism and taking this decision into one’s own hand, trying to enforce that on the whole community is not okay,” said Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger back in 2018.
This past month, the city council approved removing the mural and storing it at the Burlington International Airport.
Removing the mural revealed another mural, “Rainforest,” that was underneath. It will be restored by the original artist, Gina Carrera.
“Even as workers removed the panels Thursday, the debate over the divisive mural continued. “Not enough emphasis on people of color,” said Jack Daggitt of Burlington.
“It looked nice, in my opinion,” Larry Oliver said.
“I can understand if it feels not everyone is represented,” said Christine Colby of Charlotte.
Crews could be seen just before 9 a.m. starting to take down the mural.
This comes after the City Council unanimously voted last week that the mural had to come down by August 31.
The plan is to store “Everyone Loves a Parade” at the Burlington International Airport. The city is also proposing to hire Liszt Historical Restoration to complete the removal, transportation, and storage of the mural.
The mural, which has been displayed on Leahy Way in the Church St. Marketplace District since 2012, has been criticized over the years by many Burlington residents as racist and non-inclusive.
Related Stories:
Artist proposes replacement for “Everybody Loves a Parade” mural
‘Everybody Loves a Parade’ mural to be removed
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