‘Black Lives Matter’ DC Mural can be seen in updated Apple Maps

Protests against police brutality and racial supremacy are still in place all over the U.S. (and around the world). As part of the protests, Washington DC city workers painted massive banner-like project on an entire street that reads ‘Black Lives Matter’. Apple Maps patched the newly painted street in their satellite image.

The mural takes over two blocks of 16th Street near the White House, and has since been renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza by DC mayor Muriel Bowser. Each of the 16 bold yellow letters spans the width of the two-lane street. The large size makes the sign viewable by aerial cameras and virtually anyone around the area.

Mayor Muriel Bowser official named that section of 16th Street “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. The street even gained itself a brand new street sign (seen below).

According to app sleuth Jane Manchun Wong, Apple Maps appears to have patched its existing satellite imagery to show the new mural. However, it left the surrounding area as it was. The grainier update also suggests a fast-track update outside of normal refresh cycles.

“Notice how the cars partially fade out at the edges, and that (the newly patched plaza) is noticeably grainy than the rest,” wrote Wong.

The mural is seen as a message of support and solidarity with Americans protesting police brutality after George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis. It’s also a strong gesture towards President Trump, who has been infamously defiant against these protests.

You can look at the mural yourself on the Apple Maps app by typing in “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. The app will automatically take you to the location. Press the (i) button on the top right, and then press ‘Satellite’ and zoom in closer.

Google Maps also shows the renamed plaza. However, a satellite image of new mural hasn’t yet been updated there.

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