Massive Mural Spelling out "Black Lives Matter" Painted Near White House
Authorized by District of Columbia Mayor, Muriel Bowser.
This Friday morning, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser hired workers from the D.C. Public Works department to paint a sprawling mural that spells out “Black Lives Matter” on the street that leads to Lafayette Square and the White House. With this sprawling work, Bowser wanted to show her support for the Black Lives Matter protestors that have been demonstrating at the White House since George Floyd’s death in police custody. The mayor also renamed the section where the mural is painted, “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” as reported by ABC News.
“There are people who are craving to be heard and to be seen, and to have their humanity recognized, and we had the opportunity to send that message loud and clear on a very important street in our city,” Bowser said at a press conference. “And it is that message, and that message is to the American people, that Black Lives Matter black humanity matters, and we as a city raise that up as part of our values as a city.”
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
President Donald Trump recently spoke against Bowser and her authorized mural this Friday afternoon, tweeting, “The incompetent Mayor of Washington, D.C., @MayorBowser, who’s budget is totally out of control and is constantly coming back to us for ‘handouts’, is now fighting with the National Guard, who saved her from great embarrassment…over the last number of nights. If she doesn’t treat these men and women well, then we’ll bring in a different group of men and women!”
The official D.C. chapter of the Black Lives Matter Global Network is also against the mural, saying that it is “a performative distraction from real policy changes,” the organization said in a tweet. Having added: “Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history. This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands. Black Lives Matter means defund the police. @emilymbadger say it with us.”
This is a performative distraction from real policy changes. Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history. This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands. Black Lives Matter means defund the police. @emilymbadger say it with us https://t.co/w0ekwSG1ip
— BlackLivesMatter DC (@DMVBlackLives) June 5, 2020
