Laugh Factory Pays Tribute to Black Lives Matter with 148-Foot-Long Mural

The Laugh Factory has been the backdrop for several Black Lives Matter demonstrations protesting police brutality against the black community. Earlier this week, the club unveiled a 148-foot-long mural to pay tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The location of the mural is at the parking lot across the street from the Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Boulevard, where thousands have gathered for Black Lives Matter and Black Women Lead events for the past two months. People have gathered peacefully to honor the life of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

The mural was the idea of actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish. Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada, decided to include Hadish on the mural which also features comic Kevin heart. Floyd and Tailor in the center of the mural.

“It doesn’t really look like me, but I guess that’s what I look like when I’m mad,” Haddish told NBC Los Angeles news. “I think the way to stop this madness, systemic racism and all this stuff, is people’s hearts have to change, and the best way to change people’s hearts, I think is through comedy and showing how much we have in common.”

The Laugh Factory and Los Angeles Fourth District Councilman David Ryu, commissioned the mural. An organization called Arts Bridging the Gap brought together five artists, who designed their portion of the mural in a matter of days. Those five artists include: Alexandra Allie Belisle, Amanda Ferrell Hale, Noah Humes, PeQue Brown and Shplinton.

“This mural is an important avenue for Black artists to present societal challenges in a public and impactful way through the lens of their experiences,” Masada said about the mural, which is believed to be one of the largest in the nation created in tribute to BLM.

The bottom of the mural includes the names of victims of racism and police brutality. At the center a quote by Maya Angelou reads as follows: “You write it. You paint it. You dancit it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”

“The artwork inspires us to support accountability and meaningful change as we work together to create pathways that heal our nation,” Masada said.

In mid-June, a mural to commemorate both the Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ movements was painted on Hollywood Boulevard, between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive. The words “All Black Lives Matter” were painted ahead of a massive anti-racism march on June 14 which brought out tens of thousands of people marching in solidarity with the LGBTQ community to call for justice for black LGBTQ people. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion to create a permanent space commemorating the June 14 protest.

A trans flag was painted on the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard ahead of the same All Black Lives Matter March, by community members and trans activists. The mural stirred controversy because it was painted without permission from the city of West Hollywood. It was removed less than a week on the day that the Los Angeles LGBT Center celebrated their Los Angeles Trans Pride.