Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence facts for kids
The Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence (BLM Memorial Fence) was a special art display that lasted for eight months in Washington, D.C. It was located on a fence outside the White House in 2020 and 2021. People attached many memorials and artworks related to Black Lives Matter to this fence. The fence itself was put up to manage large crowds of protesters. These crowds gathered near the White House after the sad event involving George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The Memorial Fence grew from June 2020 until it was carefully taken down in January 2021. Many people worked together to care for, protect, and then save the thousands of signs and artworks.
Why the Fence Was Put Up
Lafayette Square is a park north of the White House. On June 1, 2020, authorities cleared the park of protesters. This was done so President Trump could walk from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church. He wanted to be photographed holding a Bible. Strong actions by authorities were used to clear the area.
Lafayette Square had been a place for protests for many years. After this event, a large fence was put around the Square and the White House. The part of the fence facing north became a gathering spot and a memorial. This is how it became known as the Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence.
How the Memorial Fence Grew
Many people from all over the world helped create and protect the Memorial Fence. It became a very important place for people to visit. It was a place for respect and celebration. This happened during a time when both a worldwide health crisis and Black Lives Matter protests were happening.
A group of activists called the "Guardians of the Fence" watched over it almost constantly. They did this from October 27, 2020, to January 30, 2021. Their goal was to protect the fence from bad weather and damage. This group included Nadine Seiler and Karen Irwin. The William Thomas Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil also helped.
During that autumn and the election time, the Memorial Fence was a place of remembrance. It was also seen around the world during election news. Sometimes, groups with different views tried to damage the memorials. Law enforcement sometimes closed the area. This was to stop damage to the artworks and protect the fence guardians. People from everywhere sent art and donations to support the memorial.
Key Dates for the Fence
2020 Events
- May 25 – The sad event involving George Floyd happened in Minneapolis.
- May 29 – Protests at the White House grew larger. The White House was secured, and Donald Trump briefly went to an underground shelter.
- June 1 – President Trump walked from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church. Streets were cleared by authorities for this walk.
- June 2 – The first fences were put up around the White House and Lafayette Park. This stopped public access to the area. Protesters reacted by shaking the fence and throwing objects over it. After each day, protest signs and other items were left on the fence.
- June 5 – The Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, had the words "Black Lives Matter" painted in large yellow letters on 16th Street NW. This area is now called Black Lives Matter Plaza.
- June 10 – People were allowed back into Lafayette Park at 11:58 PM. Some original protest signs were hung on the fenced area. Protesters also hung signs on crowd barriers. They created a memorial space in front of the White House.
- June 22 – Black Lives Matter protesters tried to pull down the Andrew Jackson Statue in Lafayette Square. Police again cleared the park. More fencing was put up, including Lafayette Park.
- June 24 – Access to the area that would become the Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence was reopened. Within 24 hours, protest art covered the two-block fence. It became a central spot for remembering, showing unity, and meeting for activists.
- October 26 – The first major damage to the BLM Memorial Fence happened. This was after a major government decision. A small group tried to destroy the memorial materials. An informal group of community members then formed to protect the fence. They gathered and removed the damaged art.
- October 27 – Activists, including Nadine Seiler, worked to put the damaged signs back on the fence. They repaired them with tape. More signs and art were created to replace destroyed pieces.
- November 13–15 – Organized attacks on the BLM Memorial Fence happened. The local police closed the two-block area of the fence on November 15. The William Thomas Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil and some fence archivists stayed on site.
- December 11–16 (and January 4 through January 22, 2021) – Street closures forced the "guardians of the fence" to stay as close as possible to the fence. Protesters and supporters brought bicycles. They lined them up along the fence to protect it. People from D.C. and across the country donated money, art supplies, food, and encouragement to the guardians.
- December 17, 2020 – Community activists rehung the saved protest art and memorials.
- Christmas Day 2020 – A banner saying "Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence" was hung. This unofficially named the fence as a memorial space.
On January 30, 2021, all fallen signs and items were rehung. The fence panels were numbered and photographed. Then, the entire collection was put into storage. Nadine Seiler managed this collection, known as the Black Lives Matter Memorial Fence Collection.
