Washington Mayor Renames Street In Front Of The White House 'Black Lives Matter Plaza'
On June 5, Washington mayor Muriel Bowser renamed an area near the White House that has become the epicenter of anti-racism protests over the past week "Black Lives Matter Plaza" -- unveiling a giant street mural. The African-American mayor drew the ire of the very movement she was supporting, as well as of President Donald Trump.
On June 5, Washington mayor Muriel Bowser renamed an area near the White House that has become the epicenter of anti-racism protests over the past week "Black Lives Matter Plaza" -- unveiling a giant street mural.
The African-American mayor drew the ire of the very movement she was supporting, as well as of President Donald Trump.
The "Black Lives Matter" protests erupted after a 46-year-old black man George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. A white officer kneeled on his neck until he lost consciousness.
That officer and three others are now in custody and facing charges -- second-degree murder for the kneeling officer, and aiding and abetting that crime for his colleagues.
Just north of the White House, the words BLACK LIVES MATTER were painted in huge yellow letters along the street leading to the presidential mansion, along with the symbol from the DC flag.
The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially ¡°Black Lives Matter Plaza¡±. pic.twitter.com/bbJgAYE35b
¡ª Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
"The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially 'Black Lives Matter Plaza'," Bowser tweeted.
A city worker put up a new street sign with the name.
"Determination to make America the land it ought to be," she said on Twitter.
The corner of 16th and H is significant -- in a controversial incident on Monday, peaceful protesters gathered there were dispersed with tear gas.
Twitter
The US government deployed a significant contingent of federal officers and National Guard troops from other states -- many of them not wearing any identifying garb or badges -- to handle protests in Washington.
Trump reiterated on Friday that authorities need to "dominate the streets," and has been unapologetic about the deployment of forces.
And on Twitter, he lashed out at Bowser, calling her "incompetent" and saying the National Guard had saved her from "great embarrassment."
