DC Mayor Knuckles Under to Republican Threats Over Black Lives Matter Plaza
Streetscape was created in aftermath of the murder of George Floyd
Work crews have been dismantling Washington DC’s iconic memorial to the Black Lives Matter movement after a Republican congressman threatened to block federal funding for the city government if the installation was not removed.
Black Lives Matter Plaza was created nearly five years ago in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of Minneapolis, Minn, by police.
It was a two-block pedestrian installation on 16th Street NW, near the White House.
The plaza was renamed by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) on June 5, 2020, after the DC Department of Public Works painted the words “Black Lives Matter” in yellow, 35-foot-tall capital letters, along with the D.C. flag, near the White House.
But with Donald Trump back in the White House seeking to eliminate anything having to do with diversity and equality, Black Lives Matter became a target when Rep Andrew Clyde, of Georgia, said he would look to block federal transportation funding over the plaza.
Bowser, who is Black, caved to the Republican pressure and ordered the plaza demolished.
Bowser said last week on social media that, “The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a 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.”
In Trump’s second term, Bowser has worked to avoid conflict and downplay any points of contention. She traveled to Mar-a-Lago in Florida to meet with Trump after the election and has publicly emphasized their points of agreement.
Even still, Trump has threatened to take federal control over the capital city, which has enjoyed limited home rule for decades.
Asked by a local DC TV station for his reaction to the end of Black Lives Matter Plaza, Clyde said: “I’m very pleased that within one day of introducing my bill to rename BLM Plaza, Mayor Bowser announced plans to do just that. 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.”
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