D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed plans to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza and paint over its ground mural, replacing it with a new design created by local schoolchildren. A spokesperson for Bowser told NBC Washington there is no set timeline for the change. Bowser explained her decision, stating, “It’s fair to say the White House didn’t like it.”
The plaza was established in June 2020 following nationwide protests after the murder of George Floyd. Bowser originally unveiled the mural on June 5, 2020, and later announced it as a permanent installation in October 2021. The mural was paved over and repainted the following year. It is unclear if traffic patterns will change with the redesign.
The announcement comes a day after Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia introduced a bill aimed at forcing Bowser to rename Black Lives Matter Plaza to Liberty Plaza or risk losing federal funding. The legislation would require all government documents and websites to reflect the new name and remove the mural. According to the bill, “certain apportionment funds” would be withheld from D.C. if the area was not renamed.
Bowser made it clear that she does not support changing the name to Liberty Plaza. However, Clyde expressed satisfaction with her decision, stating, “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.”
Clyde has a history of involvement in D.C. affairs. In 2022, he sought to repeal the Home Rule Act, which grants the District the ability to govern itself. He has previously criticized Black Lives Matter Plaza, calling it a “waste of money.” In a 2024 interview with The Daily Caller, he argued, “Honestly, the street needs to go back to the way it was, which is a public thoroughfare, and the Black Lives Matter wording needs to be paved over.”
Bowser responded to the controversy, emphasizing more pressing concerns. “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,” she said. “Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by federal job cuts.”
Link: NBCNews
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