Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., is set to be renamed after a Republican lawmaker tabled legislation to cut off federal funding to the city if it is not changed. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced plans to rename the plaza, which is located only a few blocks from the White House.
The decision follows pressure from Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde of Georgia. According to Bowser’s office, the plaza will be renamed and adorned with a new mural created by local schoolchildren. However, the exact timeline for the change has not been determined.
The plaza, previously known as 16th Street Northwest and, for a time, the Avenue of the Presidents, was rebranded in June 2020 in honor of the radical left Black Lives Matter movement. This was in response to the riots following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mayor Bowser described the change as permanent.
Nearby businesses, including restaurants and hotels, have also previously expressed concerns about the economic impact of the plaza’s 2020 name change. The roadway was closed to motorists, which reportedly contributed to financial challenges for these establishments.
Congressman Clyde’s legislation echoes tactics used by President Donald J. Trump and his administration to cut federal funding from other woke initiatives.
