Matthew Dever - Marcus Rashford Mural

In the early hours of the twelfth July 2021, Marcus Rashford's mural in Withington, Manchester, was defaced following England’s defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. An outpouring of support counteracted racist abuse on social media. People posted positive messages over the covered-up graffiti.

The street artist Akse fixed the mural in the early hours of the thirteenth.

Local residents transformed the moment of hatred, sticking messages of love and support over the mural. Tru Powell, a Birmingham dad drove his young sons to show support. In an interview with Birmingham Live, Tru Powell commented that he ‘didn’t want to go on social media and yet again try to justify our existence.’ (Powell, 2021).

By six O’clock hundreds of people filled the street for a Stand Up To Racism demonstration.

Over the subsequent week people travelled from all over the country to be involved in the national moment of shared solidarity leaving messages of love and support, which would make headlines around the world.

The University of Manchester - in collaboration with the Manchester Art Gallery, Central Library's Archives department, the People's History Museum, the National Football Museum and mural commissioners the Withington Walls project [1] - collaborated to preserve the tributes on Marcus Rashford’s mural, to ensure these messages of solidarity were not lost to future generations. It is hoped that the messages will be permanently available as an important reminder of the significant cultural moment.

[1] The Marcus Rashford Mural was originally commissioned by Withington Walls in recognition of Rashford’s work to tackle child food poverty.

Powell, T (2021). ‘Birmingham dad drives sons to Marcus Rashford's defaced mural to leave letters of support for hero’. Interview with Tru Powell. Interviewed by Birmingham Live, 13, July. [Online].

1. The Street Artist Akse by His Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021. 2. A Manchester United Fan Asks the Street Artist Akse to Sign His Football Shirt by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

Residents Gather by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

A Father and His Two Sons, Who Travelled From Birmingham, Are Interviewed by Sky Sports at the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

People Observe a Greater Manchester Police Witness Appeal Sign by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

1. People Gather To Add Tributes to the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021. 2. Children Are Photographed While a Girl Is Filmed by the BBC at the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

Demonstrators Take a Selfie by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

The Crowd Take the Knee at a Stand Up to Racism Demonstration by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

1. A Crowd Listen to Karen Reismann, Who Was Fined £10,000 for Breaching COVID Rules During an NHS Pay Protest, at a Stand Up To Racism Demonstration by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021. 2. A Crowd Listen to a Speaker at a Stand Up To Racism Demonstration by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

Local Residents by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.

We Stand Together by the Marcus Rashford Mural in Withington on 13 July 2021. Manchester, England. 2021.