Painted Plywood Mural Featuring Jean Botham In Deep Ellum, Dallas, During The George Floyd Protests. Editorial Image

Pictured is one of many murals painted on plywood in Deep Ellum after the George Floyd protests. The mural features Jean Botham. The 26-year-old accountant was fatally shot in his own apartment by a Amber Guyger, a white police woman who mistakenly thought he was an intruder in her apartment. Her apartment was a floor above. In May 2020 several businesses in Deep Ellum were vandalized and looted following a protest in downtown Dallas. A peaceful protest over the killing of George Floyd turned violent when a small group clashed with police, broke out windows, looted businesses and set fires. Because of fear of looting many business put up plywood protection of their doors or windows. Subsequently artists painted black lives themed murals on the protective plywood all over Deep Ellum. After the 1850s’ slave liberation in Texas, many slaves from Texas and nearby states built their houses and cropped their land in the future Deep Ellum, which was one of the largest African-American communities. This community holds the most history in the Dallas area. Today it is composed largely of arts and entertainment venues and is known for it`s graffiti, street art and murals. It is located near downtown in East Dallas, Texas.