Washington begins removing ‘Black Lives Matter’ plaza

Crews in Washington, DC, are set to remove the “Black Lives Matter” plaza located on a street near the White House, according to mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser.

The decision comes amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress, as the mayor faces increasing challenges in the nation’s capital.

The removal signals a dramatic shift in Bowser’s stance toward both Trump and congressional Republicans.

In June 2020, Bowser, a Democrat, authorized the installation of the mural and renamed the intersection as Black Lives Matter Plaza as a symbolic act of defiance. This followed days of protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

Bowser’s response to the protests put her at odds with President Trump, who accused her of losing control of the city and threatened to take over the Metropolitan Police Department.

Though he did not follow through on the threat, Trump did authorize a multi-agency lockdown that included low-flying helicopters intended to intimidate protesters.

The decision has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing a mix of support and criticism.

Some see the removal as a necessary step to move forward, while others view it as an attempt to erase an important symbol of protest.

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Posted by:
Fed Up Texas Chick 

Trump is doing what he does best! Renovations of property. This latest project? BLM Plaza! No more huge yellow BLACK LIVES MATTER letters in Washington… pic.twitter.com/FPabs1UNEG

— TGA is The Gr8 Awakening and THE GOLDEN AGE (@EddieDelange1) March 12, 2025

More than brick and mortar:' DC begins removing 'Black Lives Matter' plaza near the White House#BlackLivesMatterWordsRemovedFromTheStreetAtPlaza https://t.co/BU46a1s8wn

— Bridge3 (@Bridge319) March 12, 2025