Bella Ruiz

On Monday, Alachua County and Gainesville ended mandatory masking and other coronavirus policies in their facilities. Visitors to county and city buildings and governmental meetings are no longer required to wear masks.

Black artists said at the event they must routinely take it upon themselves to build their platform and grow their representation in Gainesville. They also questioned whether the city was doing all it could or should in terms of helping them to promote Black artists and their work.