A group of people pose on the sidewalk with shovels and trash bags
Members of Wecycle's Austin Spring Cleaning Rally, including founder David "Malik" Fleming (in purple shirt), State Representative Camille Lilly (in yellow vest), and Pastor Timothy Williams (second from right) on Saturday March 30, 2024 | Todd Bannor

Over 50 community members joined Wecycle Founder David Malik Fleming, Saturday, for the fourth year of spring street cleaning in Austin.  

People stand in a circle, linking arms with bowed heads
David Fleming (in purple shirt) with Trinity Community Baptist Church Pastor Timothy Williams and community members pray for Fleming’s brother, Lemuel, who lost his life at this location | Todd Bannor

Locals gathered at 11 a.m. at 5922 W. Division St. They headed east to North Central Avenue, then south to West Chicago Avenue. The group finished at 5840 W. Chicago Ave. 

Children wash a store window
Children wash a store window as part of Wecycle’s Austin Spring Cleaning| Todd Bannor
Three men stand on a street corner with a trash bag and trash picker
Wecycle founder David Fleming (middle) and street cleaning volunteers | Todd Bannor
Three people sweep and rake debris on the sidewalk into a man's shovel
State Representative Camille Lilly helping with Wecycle’s effort| Todd Bannor
A man sweeps debris off the sidewalk while four kids watch
Community members clean up debris during Wecycle’s Austin Spring Cleaning on Saturday March 30, 2024 | Todd Bannor

Participants filled over thirty 50-pound trash bags with garbage and debris from the street. They used nearly a gallon of Windex to wash storefront windows. And at the end of the route, they celebrated their efforts with an Easter egg hunt and lots of food. Chef Gene’s BBQ provided hamburgers and hot dogs. Schweet Original Homemade Chicago Cheesecake donated cheesecake cupcakes, and Coleman’s donated chicken wings and rib tips.  

Fleming’s “lovely better half” and partner of nearly five years, Doris Freeman, helps serve lunch. “She’s a very big part of making this a whole success,” Fleming said.
A man and woman stand together
Freeman and Fleming
Fleming and State Representative Camille Lilly, courtesy of Wecycle
Children who participated in the Easter egg hunt and bouncy house after street cleaning, courtesy of Wecycle

Volunteers and sponsors for the event included the Austin African American Business Networking Association, the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute, the Chicago Austin Chamber of Commerce, Changing the View, Westside Health Authority, and Y Bank. Fleming thanked aldermen Emma Mitts and Chris Taliaferro, the 15th District police precinct and district council, BarStar Carmen, Camille Van Michael, DLV Printing, DJ Lipgloss, and Blacktivism Solutions.  

Courtesy of Wecycle

“We’re proud that we’re on the fourth year, and it looks great for the fifth,” Fleming said of the annual Wecycle street cleaning event. “We’re not going to stop.”