Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed the street in front of the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza” after over a week of protests outside the executive mansion, some of which have turned violent with clashes between police and protesters.
Bowser tweeted a video of a worker installing the street sign reading “Black Lives Matter Plaza” on the section of 16th street near the White House.
In her tweet, she wrote, “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
Bowser aide John Falcicchio wrote on Friday, “There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honor demonstrators who peacefully protesting on Monday evening.”
There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honor demonstrators who peacefully protesting on Monday evening. https://t.co/bjdVXLUf12
— John J. Falcicchio (@falcicchio) June 5, 2020
Bowser also posted a video of the street, which now reads “Black Lives Matter” in massive lettering.
She posted a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. on Twitter: “I’m happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we’re going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demand didn’t force them to do it.”
“…I'm happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we're going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demand didn't force them to do it.” Dr Martin Luther King Jr #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/SNccbPXonQ
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 5, 2020
Mayor Bowser has had a rocky relationship with President Donald Trump. After protests sparked outside the White House, Trump tweeted “the D.C. Mayor, [Muriel Bowser], who is always looking for money [and] help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. ‘Not their job.’ Nice!”
Bowser shot back “My police department will always protect DC and all who are in it whether I agree with them (such as those exercising their First Amendment Right) or those I don’t (namely, [Donald Trump]).”
A number of politicians including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have appeared at the protests outside the White House.