Community speaks on Hit-and-Run that destroyed Historic Mural days before Juneteenth
DELAWARE – Delaware state police responded to a hit and run in West Rehoboth at approximately 6:17 a.m. on June 13th. Troopers report a Chevrolet Pick-up truck struck a community mural located on Central Avenue.
This project originally started in 2020 and was unveiled for Juneteeth in 2022. The residents are heartbroken days before the Juneteenth event. Local organizers and community members shared their concerns, and how they are putting the pieces back together.
Leah Beach, of the Developing Artist Collaboration, helped commission the mural. She said that this was a devastating situation but wanted to clear up any narratives that might have been put out there. “Little did I know that there was so much history in this community, and that’s what inspired this beautiful mural… We have been really trying to let people know, that accidents happen, walls can be rebuilt, walls can be repainted. and nothing here was any sort of intentional act. ”
Beach says the rich history and that is why the mural was painted in the first place, to acknowledge those Black and Brown people who had to work and build Downtown Rehoboth but were never allowed to live there due to Jim Crow.
Laura St. Martin is a longtime resident and has contributed financially to the murals initial set up. She says she grew up in poverty and education is very important. She was hurt by the scene and shared her feelings. “It very important that people know more about the history of this community that has supported the downtown Rehoboth area, and I’ve always been a little saddened by how the community has changed… I was just heartbroken, because I was really looking forward to this inaugural Juneteenth celebration, and the Mural itself was a big part of that.”
She says that police and city officials can do more I’m hoping that police will release information quickly so that any concerns are addressed early and not allow time for conspiracy theories can fester. and that this will be a moment for getting people motivated to preserve the community. “I am hoping that people who know very little about the West Rehoboth community upon hearing about the destruction of the mural maybe come take a look, maybe attend the Juneteenth celebration even if they had not planned to. ”
Leah says that the celebration will still continue, and she hope that despite where the mural is located the City of Rehoboth will acknowledge the contributions to downtown made by the people who live in West Rehoboth and come celebrate Juneteeth with them. “At the end of the day, Juneteenth is a celebration. It’s not a bunch of people coming together to make a point, in the sense of how I think some folks handle Juneteenth celebrations, especially in white communities. So, I’m excited to see members from the City of Rehoboth come and celebrate with us during our Juneteenth celebration.”
Delaware State Police say this is being investigated as a Hit-and-Run and not a Hate Crime and if you have any information about the driver contact Troop 7. They still have not located the driver and urge the community to come forth with any information concerning the identity of the suspect.
Juneteeth Celebrations will take place from 4-6 pm and will have vendors form various black and brown businesses in the community. They tell us nothing, not even this, will not stop the celebration, they will still have festivities rain or shine.
