City council is being asked to paint the crosswalks on Front Street and Main Street with the flags of Black Indigenous and People of Colour and Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour.

The request was made in a letter presented to council at its meeting Monday from Whitehorse resident Mellisa Murray.

The proposal is supported by several businesses in the area as well as a petition signed by about 500 people, Murray notes in her letter.

The supporting letters from businesses and the petition were also presented to council.

“People around the world, including in our city, have taken to the streets in peaceful protests against the criminal justice system, police brutality, and systemic racism,” writes Murray.

“I, along with hundreds of supporters from multiracial and intergenerational backgrounds, have come together to stand up to this inequality. But change in our community requires awareness, education, and visibility.”

Murray notes the city has already recognized the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community with the rainbow and transgender flags painted on the crosswalks at Third Avenue and Main Street.

“The urgency of this project is crucial; systemic racism is not something that only exists outside the bubble of our city, but rather something present within our community,” Murray writes.

“This has been clearly demonstrated by recent vandalism to two ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs around the city. The Crosswalk Project would be a daily visual reminder that we are all fighting for equality and justice.”

City manager Linda Rapp told council they estimate painting the crosswalks would cost about $7,000, plus the cost of ongoing maintenance.

Maintaining the painted crosswalks at Third and Main has not been onerous, she said.

There seemed to be general acceptance of Murray’s request by members of council.

Mayor Dan Curtis called it a great idea.

Whitehorse was the first community in Canada to paint the queer and trans flags on the crosswalks, he pointed out.

He said the city did not do it to be the first, it did it because it was important, a sign of acceptance.

“I think this is a fantastic idea,” the mayor said. “I don’t think it will be costly.

“I am dedicated to see a change of attitude in the city,” Curtis said.

“On behalf of the Edgewater Hotel, please accept this letter of support to Mellisa Murray and their application to paint the crosswalks at the intersection of Main and Front Street to bring awareness to racial injustice and systemic racism to our community,” says the letter penned by Wray Morrel, a manager for the Edgewater.

Similar letters were sent by a handful of businesses.

Architect Jack Kobayashi wrote: “On behalf of Kobayashi & Zedda Architects, Baked Cafe and Bakery and 360 Design/Build, we fully support this gesture and we look forward to seeing the finished artwork adorning the streets of our city in the near future.”

CEO Casey Prescott of the Yukon Arts Centre wrote the Yukon community has responded strongly to the global Black Lives Matter movement to promote and sustain equality among all peoples.

“The opportunity is clear for the City of Whitehorse to demonstrate a strong civic statement by supporting the inclusion of these flags in the downtown core,” Prescott writes.

“The act would give clear momentum and maintain visibility of these issues to our community as it navigates ending these systemic oppressions.”

Council did not provide any specific direction to administration regarding Murray’s request. Administration will be following up with Murray this week.

If council decides to undertake the project, it will have to work its way through the city budget process, administration has indicated.