Latest #WatsonWire: Austin is diverse. We take pride in that. Our diversity makes Austin, Austin. And if you give us an opportunity to celebrate and highlight that diversity, Austinites will take it and show their love for this City and its people. Last year, the Federal Transportation Secretary and then the state declared that the city had to remove certain messaging from crosswalks and roadways. That messaging celebrated our people, spoke to our diversity, and demonstrated our pride in that diversity. We were given 30 days or lose state funding for projects. I immediately formed the Mayor’s Public Spaces Taskforce. This groupwas charged with creating ways that enhanced our demonstrations of pride. I saw this as an opportunity to show we can overcome bullies, be who we are, and maybe even figure out better ways to show our happy diversity. This Friday (June 19) and Saturday (June 20), we’ll have a chance to make their suggestions concrete. Along with the Taskforce, I’m hosting two community events, which have been thoughtfully planned to comply with the state’s directive, while also creating lasting public spaces that reflect Austin’s shared values. This includes a new Fourth Street (aka Bettie Naylor Street) mural, which will be installed between Colorado & Lavaca Streets. Community members are invited to help finish painting the new mural installation at the June 20th event. I’m also announcing that we’ll unveil a new LGBTQ historical marker at 4th & Colorado in August, which was initiated through a Council Resolution. A pretty great way to enjoy Pride Month. And we’re working with The Six Square Cultural District, which is the only African American Cultural District in Texas, by hosting a block party on June 19th at the historic Victory East Grill to celebrate the “Black Artist Matters” mural with music, food, & fun. And that’s a pretty great way to enjoy Juneteenth. The choices made by the state were meant to be mean, create chaos, and cause sadness.The choices we’re making to celebrate our diverse communities again shows that Austin can and will rise above negative efforts and always look for opportunities to create joy and belonging. Learn more: bit.ly/PrideATXWire