George Floyd mural in Third Ward demolished
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A pile of rubble is all that's left of a mural dedicated to George Floyd in Third Ward. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios
A Third Ward building famous for having a mural commemorating George Floyd was torn down this week, ahead of the five-year mark of his death.
Why it matters The demolition sparked outcry from community members, who lamented that it was a "project of erasure."
- The building that housed the mural, at the corner of Elgin and Ennis streets, was left a pile of rubble with no clear future.
Flashback: The mural was painted in 2020, after Floyd's murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer five years ago Sunday.
- The building also housed other works of art and was part of a string of buildings on the block with murals. Others still intact nearby commemorate Breonna Taylor, Vanessa Guillén and rapper Takeoff.
- The vacant building was damaged in a fire in 2024 but remained standing until this week.
What they're saying: Third Ward historian Naomi Carrier told KHOU she was upset to see the building destroyed and wants more preservation of Third Ward history.
- "Give me two years and that'll be a two- or three- to four-story condo on this block," Carrier said. "Preservation helps us know what came before us."
The intrigue: Other mural dedications to Floyd are still standing around the neighborhood.
- They include one by Houston artist Donkeeboy near Jack Yates High School, where Floyd attended. The mural was surrounded by flowers and a statuette of Abraham Lincoln this week.
- Plus, another mural depicting Floyd at the former site of Turkey Leg Hut is still intact — although its future is uncertain amid the restaurant's downfall.
What's next: To commemorate the anniversary of his death, the Houston Public Library is hosting the 4th annual George Floyd Memorial Lecture on Thursday.
- Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump are hosting a memorial service at 10:30am Sunday at the Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland.