House Republicans are pushing to remove the Black Lives Matter Plaza mural in Washington, D.C., aiming to undo a symbol of radical leftist activism.
The mural was commissioned in June 2020 by Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser amid the George Floyd riots and COVID lockdowns. She renamed a section of 16th Street NW as “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” and the street was painted with massive yellow block letters spelling out “Black Lives Matter” just steps from the White House.
The controversial two-block display became a focal point of leftist demonstrations, with activists even adding a “Defund the Police” message alongside it, which was later removed. House Republicans argue that taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote divisive political slogans, especially in the nation’s capital. Their efforts signal a broader push to restore neutrality and lawfulness in public spaces.
The Black Lives Matter mural in Washington, D.C., was painted in June 2020 at the height of the George Floyd riots and nationwide unrest. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, ordered the words “Black Lives Matter” to be painted in massive yellow block letters along 16th Street NW, just steps from the White House.
The move was widely seen as a political statement against then-President Donald Trump, who had called for law and order in response to the violent protests, looting, and destruction that swept across American cities.
Activists later added a “Defund the Police” message alongside the mural, though it was removed after public backlash.
The mural became a flashpoint for controversy, with conservatives criticizing it as government-sanctioned political propaganda while Democrat leaders celebrated it as a response to what they called systemic racism. Over time, the plaza has become a gathering spot for activists, though much of the initial energy surrounding it has faded.
