A traveling exhibition called “Say Their Names,” honoring the lives of Black individuals killed by law enforcement, is currently installed in Dallas’ own Klyde Warren Park through Thursday, September 17. The memorial is one of several Say Their Names exhibitions popping up across the country inspired by a digital memorial by the same name. The Dallas exhibit was put together by Emily Clarke of Emily Clarke Events, Alicia and Adam Rico of Bows and Arrows Flowers, and supported by many others in the community, including named Fears Nachawati partner, Majed Nachawati and his wife Alma with the goal to open a dialogue in the city.
The memorial carries the names and faces of 212 people on 53 pillars adorned with flowers. Many of these individuals have become familiar as 2020 has reenergized the Black Lives Matter movement against police: Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, George Floyd, Tamir Rice. Other names in the memorial who were victims of similar injustices may be less familiar, but monuments like this hope that they can shed light on them.
“I think this is a powerful and moving way to honor those we have lost,” said firm co-founder Majed Nachawati. “I support this project in hopes that it will help our community process what is happening and continue to educate and open positive dialogue between the community and law enforcement.”
For more information about the memorial, please visit https://saytheirnames.io/.