D.C. Mayor to Remove Black Lives Matter Plaza Amid Pressure from White House
As the nation’s capital has come under fire from the President and Congressional Republicans, Mayor Bowser has tried to avoid conflict where possible. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is moving forward with plans to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza, a two-block stretch of 16th Street NW near the White House that became a symbol of protest and unity following the 2020 killing of George Floyd.
Ground Mural to Be Replaced with Student Artwork
A spokesperson for Bowser confirmed that the iconic street mural will be painted over, though no specific timeline has been announced. The space will feature a new design created by D.C. public school students. Bowser said she made the decision days ago and acknowledged that the White House disapproved of the plaza.
From Protest Symbol to Political Battleground
The plaza was first unveiled on June 5, 2020, during a wave of nationwide protests. Although the original mural was paved over in 2021, Bowser had declared the redesigned version a permanent fixture later that year.
In public statements addressing the residents of the District of Columbia and politicians taking aim at the city’s ability to govern itself and/or attempt to withhold funding from the city, D.C.’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, spoke about the future of the mural and the city’s goals.
New GOP Legislation Pushes for Name Change
“We have bigger fish to fry than fights over what has been very important to us and to their history,” said Mayor Bowser during a May 5 press conference. The comment is in reference to a recent bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., that, if enacted, would withhold federal funding from the district if the mural isn’t removed. The name “Black Lives Matter Plaza” would also need to be changed.
Bowser has publicly opposed the name change, despite Clyde taking credit for prompting her decision. “My focus remains on removing this woke, divisive slogan,” Clyde said, adding that he will continue pushing to eliminate the plaza entirely.
Ongoing Tension Between Congress and D.C. Leadership
This isn’t Clyde’s first attempt to interfere in D.C.’s local governance. In 2022, he also pushed to repeal the Home Rule Act, which gives the District autonomy over its affairs. He has repeatedly criticized the city for spending nearly $5 million on the mural, calling it a waste of taxpayer money.
Bowser Responds to Federal Pressure
In a statement, Bowser defended the significance of the mural, saying it “inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period.” However, she emphasized the need to focus on more pressing issues, like the economic impact of federal job cuts, rather than what she called “meaningless congressional interference.”
