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Local Advocates and Visual Artists "Chalk Riot" Unveil Massive 7-Foot Art Installation Calling Out Rep. Mackenzie’s Votes to Drive Up Lehigh Valley Energy Bills
Vibrant public art display in downtown Allentown highlights the financial impact of anti-clean energy legislation on working families
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania (CVPA) joined forces with the renowned street art group Chalk Riot today to transform downtown Allentown’s Art Park into a colorful hub of accountability and climate advocacy.
Throughout the day, artists constructed a massive, 7-foot live chalk mural drawing a sharp line between the legislative record of Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) and the soaring energy bills facing local consumers.
The interactive installation paired iconic imagery of the Lehigh Valley with explicit messages holding Rep. Mackenzie accountable for rolling back clean energy investments and jacking up energy prices for working families.
The completed artwork highlighted messages including "Ryan Mackenzie Voted to Cut Clean Energy.” As energy costs strain household budgets heading into the summer months, the public visual demonstration successfully captured the attention of hundreds of Allentown commuters and pedestrians, many of whom stopped to engage with advocates and share their concerns about skyrocketing utility bills.
"Working families and local businesses across the Lehigh Valley are at a breaking point with high energy costs, yet Representative Mackenzie continues to vote against the very solutions that would provide long-term financial relief," said CVPA federal campaign coordinator Hanna Felber. "Clean, renewable energy is reliable, it protects our environment and is cheaper for working families and local businesses. Today’s art installation serves as a vibrant reminder that we see exactly who is blocking progress in Harrisburg, and we will continue to hold our lawmakers accountable for prioritizing corporate interests over the wallets of everyday Pennsylvanians."
Advocates on site highlighted Rep. Mackenzie’s poor environmental record.
Organizers pointed out that Mackenzie has consistently voted against critical consumer protections while backing measures that weaken clean water and air standards, undermine truck pollution rules and roll back clean energy development.
The live-action display also featured interviews with the street artist, who voiced strong opposition to legislative actions that increase electricity costs. Organizers recorded a comprehensive time-lapse video of the mural's day-long creation to continue the digital accountability campaign online.
"Public art has a unique power to spark dialogue and ignite social change by bringing hidden political issues directly to the streets," said Erika Lalita for Chalk Riot. "We were motivated to create this piece because families deserve to know how their representatives' votes directly impact their daily lives and wallets. We hope this visual display reminds Allentown residents that a cleaner, more affordable future is entirely within reach."
High-resolution photos, time-lapse video content, and B-roll of the creation process and pedestrian reactions are available for media use and can be accessed here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tuWAJlDxEIcXHcNVt6U_yKTx_-VLx6Yt.