Washington D.C. – The words “Black Lives Matter” that adorned a street just one block from the White House have been removed by construction crews on Monday. This move comes as Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser faces threats from President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
The mural, which was painted in June 2020 and renamed the intersection as Black Lives Matter Plaza, served as a powerful symbol during a time of pain and protest over police brutality following the killing of George Floyd. It was a public act of defiance by Bowser, a Democrat, in response to the chaotic protests that took place at that location.
However, Bowser’s approach to the protests put her in direct conflict with Trump. The president accused her of losing control of the city and even threatened to take over the Metropolitan Police Department. Despite this, Bowser remained steadfast in her stance and refused to back down.
But as Trump begins his second term in office, Bowser has taken a different approach. She has worked to avoid conflict and downplay any points of contention with the president. In fact, she even traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate to meet with him after his election. Bowser has also emphasized their points of agreement, such as the desire to return federal workers back to their offices full time.
Trump, on the other hand, has recently revived his campaign talking point of wanting a federal “takeover” of the nation’s capital, citing issues such as crime, graffiti, and homeless encampments. Bowser, however, refused to comment on reports of an executive order targeting Washington and instead pointed to Congress as the real threat to the city’s autonomy.
Congress, which is currently controlled by Republicans, has repeatedly threatened to interfere in city affairs in various ways. One measure, known as the Bowser Act, seeks to completely revoke the Home Rule Act of 1973 which grants the capital city limited autonomy. This move would be highly controversial and could potentially test the strength of the GOP majority in the House.
Some representatives have also used budget riders to target Washington’s policies, including marijuana legalization and the legality of right turns on red lights. Additionally, some members of Congress have publicly expressed their disdain for the Black Lives Matter street painting.
While Bowser and Trump may have agreed on returning federal workers to their offices, Trump’s push to slash the federal workforce is already having a major impact on the city’s finances. A report from the city’s chief financial officer last week predicted a $1 billion budget shortfall over the next three years due to the loss of thousands of federal workers.
Bowser’s public support of Black Lives Matter activists in 2020 did not earn her much credibility with them at the time. The local Black Lives Matter affiliate dismissed her actions as performative and accused her of being biased towards the police. And now, following her reversal on the street painting, these same activists have expressed their disappointment and scorn towards Bowser.
Nee Nee Taylor, a founding member of the D.C. Black Lives Matter affiliate, addressed Bowser on social media, saying, “You never truly cared about Black Lives Mattering. Your painting of those words was simply performative.” This sentiment reflects the frustration and disappointment felt by many in the Black Lives Matter movement towards Bowser’s actions.
As the painting of “Black Lives Matter” is removed from the street, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in our country. While Bowser may have initially used the street painting as a symbol of defiance, it is now a symbol of her changing stance towards Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
In the face of these threats and challenges, it is important for Bowser to remain steadfast in her commitment to fighting for the rights and autonomy of Washington D.C. It is also crucial for her to listen to the voices of the Black Lives Matter movement and work towards meaningful change and progress. Only then can we truly say that Black Lives Matter in our nation’s capital.
