The Mayor and Borough Council are planning to repaint the “Black Lives Matter” mural in front of Borough Hall.

On Facebook, Doron Reshen shared the following post:

Highland Park: Our Roads Should Represent Everyone, Not Just One Agenda

The Mayor and Borough Council are preparing to repaint the “Black Lives Matter” mural in front of Borough Hall.
Let’s be clear:
This isn’t about race.
This isn’t about hate.
This is about truth, fairness, and representation for all residents.

FACTS ABOUT HIGHLAND PARK:

• 55.1% White (non-Hispanic)
• 20.3% Asian (non-Hispanic)
• 15% Hispanic
• 5.2% Black (non-Hispanic)
• 34.7% foreign-born
• A large and active Jewish population, including over 1,500 Orthodox families and multiple synagogues representing a wide range of Jewish traditions
• Multiple churches, mosques, temples, and cultural centers representing the full diversity of our town

Highland Park is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse towns in New Jersey.
So why is our public roadway being used to promote just one political message?

THE ISSUE ISN’T “BLACK LIVES”—IT’S BLM’S RECORD

The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is now tied to a political movement that has:

• Been exposed in multiple scandals involving the misuse of millions of dollars in donations to buy luxury homes, private security, and other personal luxuries, with very little given back to Black communities
• Publicly supported Gaza and pro-Hamas protests following the October 7, 2023 attacks—sharing imagery that glorified terror and alienated Jewish Americans across the country

This is not a unifying message. It’s an activist endorsement that divides a town that prides itself on inclusion.

LEGAL FACT: ROADWAY MURALS VIOLATE FEDERAL & STATE RULES

Painting political slogans or murals on public roads violates federal and state transportation regulations:

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)—adopted by New Jersey—requires that all pavement markings serve a traffic control purpose (e.g., guide, warn, regulate). Murals or political art do not meet this standard and may create safety risks.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation stated such murals “provide no demonstrated safety or operational purpose” and may “adversely impact” the effectiveness of road signage.
Non-compliant markings can lead to loss of federal transportation funds or legal challenges.

DO LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THIS?

No—not without full compliance with state and federal law.

Mayors and Borough Councils in NJ may commission public art, but they do not have legal authority to paint murals or political messages on public roads that conflict with federal MUTCD standards.
Local ordinances do not override federal safety codes or NJDOT compliance obligations.
Any such mural painted without proper approval is not just divisive—it’s potentially unlawful.

THIS ISN’T INCLUSION—IT’S POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT

If we allow one group to dominate public space, we silence everyone else.
Where’s the mural for Jewish lives? Hispanic families? Veterans? Asian immigrants?
We can’t allow activist messaging—especially from a movement with this track record—to be the only voice elevated in a town as diverse as ours.

A BETTER WAY FORWARD:

Instead of dividing Highland Park with slogans -—
Let’s stand for every voice.
Let’s celebrate what brings us together, not what tears us apart.
We are Americans.
We are Highland Park.
We don’t need political murals—we need unity.
GET INVOLVED:
Message me directly to support, volunteer, or speak out.
SHARE this post far and wide.
We stand for truth, equal respect, and a town that represents everyone—not just one movement.

SOURCES & LEGAL REFERENCES:

Demographics & Religious Makeup:

DataUSA: Highland Park, NJ
BestPlaces: Religion in Highland Park, NJ
Orthodox Union – Community Profile
New York Times: Highland Park Diversity

BLM Misuse of Funds & Scandals:

NY Post – BLM Spent Millions on Luxury Homes

BLM Pro-Hamas Alignment (Post-Oct 7, 2023):

ADL: BLM Chapters Supporting Hamas
Newsweek: BLM Gaza Statements Spark Backlash

Federal & State Laws on Roadway Paintings:

MUTCD – Section 3A.06: Pavement Markings
NJ DOT – Roadway Design Manual (2023)
Washington Post – DOT Criticism of Street Murals
NJ Statute § 27:23-50
NJAC § 14:2-5.2 – Utility Marking Regulation

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