Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington D.C. made the announcement earlier today.
Earlier this week, the world saw horrifying footage of police ambushing crowds protesting peacefully in front of the White House. In solidarity with the protestors, Mayor Bowser officially renamed the street “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
“There was a dispute this week about whose street this is,” said Bowser’s Chief of Staff, John Falcicchio. “Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is D.C.’s street and to honor demonstrators who [were] peacefully protesting on Monday evening.”
The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. pic.twitter.com/bbJgAYE35b
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
The confrontation between protestors and police on Monday happened just before President Trump made a visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church. What ensued was a battery of National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police charging on the protestors, one that lead to an Australian film crew being shot with rubber bullets and struck by local police. Many have criticized the unlawful use of force as a tactical maneuver so as to allow the president a photo-op.
Yesterday, the mayor requested the withdraw of “extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence from our city” from the president in a letter, citing that protests were peaceful. Furthermore, in a tweet earlier today, the mayor announced that the street has since undergone a name change.
“The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. pic.twitter.com/bbJgAYE35b
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
In addition, the mayor had its name painted in giant bold letters down the street. Just in case the street sign was too small to see.
[Featured image: @whosjfk via @blacklivesmatterplaza]