DURHAM, N.C. — The “DEFUND” mural painted in front of the Durham Police Department will soon be removed. Members of Durham Beyond Policing painted the word on East Main Street last summer following George Floyd’s death and are now upset its being taken down.

“This was a fun action and a fun time, and at a time people needed to feel hope. It wasn’t just street art but a demand,” said Kyla Hartsfield, one of Durham Beyond Policing’s members.

She said she helped organize the mural last summer, also painting “FUND” in front of the Health and Human Services building. Since its painting, she said not much has changed.

“Black people are still being shot by police. The budget hasn’t been released yet for the city and county, but I’m hoping for there to be a shrinkage in police and sheriff budget,” Hartsfield said.

Although they didn’t have permission to paint the streets, Durham City Council said they let it stay due to “special circumstances.” They said now they could start removing the mural June 25, and believe it could take up to a month to remove. But Hartsfield says the group will still be vocal about change.

“We’ve been crafting our world under oppression, since the beginning of time, and we will continue. There is change happening, so I’m hopeful.”