Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC to be removed
A spokesperson for the mayor of Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has confirmed that Black Lives Matter Plaza and its ground mural will be painted over. There is currently no timeline for the change but the street art will be replaced by a design that will be the work of schoolchildren from the capital.
In 2020, the two-block stretch at 16th Street NW north of the White House was designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza. This came following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and subsequent protests nationwide including in Washington DC.
Bowser revealed the ground mural on 5 June that year. A year later, it was paved over but the mural was replaced. Bowser announced the mural as a permanent installation in October 2021.
Republican Rep Andrew Clyde of Georgia introduced legislation that would force Black Lives Matter Plaza to be renamed. DC would lose federal funding if it is not. The bill also calls on the street to be renamed to Liberty Plaza, update all government websites and documents with the new name, and cover up the mural on the street.
“Certain appointment funds” would be withheld according to the bill if this is not carried out.
“I’m very pleased that within one day of introducing my bill to rename BLM Plaza, Mayor Bowser announced plans to do just that,” Clyde said in a statement. “My focus remains on ensuring this woke, divisive slogan is removed and no longer stains the streets of America’s capital city, and I will continue pursuing my effort until BLM Plaza is officially gone for good.”
Bowser said the following in a statement on the issue: “The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern. Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”
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