Nationwide — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced plans to remove the Black Lives Matter Plaza mural, a symbol created in 2020 during nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death. The decision reportedly comes amid pressure from the White House and political discussions.
“We have bigger fish to fry than fights over what has been very important to us and to the history, and especially in our ability to keep our city safe during that time, that mural played a very important part,” she said, according to NBC Washington. “But now our focus is on making sure our residents and our economy survives.”
Her decision follows the introduction of a bill by Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde, which seeks to rename the area Liberty Plaza or risk losing federal transportation funding. However, Bowser clarified that her decision to remove the mural was made before Clyde’s proposal and is part of the city’s preparations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Despite this, Clyde welcomed the move, stating, “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 has rejected Clyde’s bill but emphasized the need for a broader citywide discussion on how to commemorate the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations. While she did not provide a timeline for the mural’s removal, she confirmed it will be replaced with a new tribute marking the historic milestone.