D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has confirmed plans to remove the Black Lives Matter Plaza, including the prominent “Black Lives Matter” mural on 16th Street NW. A spokesperson for the mayor told NBC Washington that while there is no set timeline, the street art will be replaced with a new design created by local schoolchildren.
Bowser stated that she made the decision several days ago. She acknowledged that the White House had expressed disapproval when asked about its reasoning.
The two-block stretch north of the White House was officially designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza in 2020, following the nationwide protests sparked by George Floyd’s killing. Bowser first unveiled the mural on June 5 of that year. Although it was paved over in 2021, she later declared it a permanent installation.
The decision to remove the mural follows increased political pressure. On Monday, Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia introduced legislation that, if passed, would require Bowser to rename Black Lives Matter Plaza or risk losing federal funding for Washington, D.C. The bill proposes renaming the area “Liberty Plaza” and mandates updates to all government documents and websites to reflect the change. It would also require the removal of the yellow “Black Lives Matter” lettering on the street.
Clyde praised Bowser’s decision, stating, “I’m very pleased that within one day of introducing my bill to rename BLM Plaza, Mayor Bowser announced plans to do just that. 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.”
Clyde, who represents Georgia’s 9th District, has previously attempted to intervene in D.C. affairs, including efforts to repeal the Home Rule Act, which grants the District the ability to govern itself. He has also criticized the cost of maintaining Black Lives Matter Plaza, calling it an “incredible waste of money” in a 2024 interview.
In a statement released Tuesday, Bowser defended the mural’s legacy but emphasized that other priorities now take precedence. “The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of federal job cuts must be our number one concern. Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”
While Bowser’s office has confirmed the mural’s removal, it remains unclear whether the name of Black Lives Matter Plaza will be officially changed.