Washington, D.C. – The iconic painting of the words “Black Lives Matter” on a street just one block from the White House has been removed by construction crews on Monday. This move comes as Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser faces challenges from both President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
Last week, Bowser took to social media to announce the change, stating that “the mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern.”
This change in tone towards Trump and congressional Republicans is a striking shift for Bowser, who had previously ordered the painting and renamed the intersection as Black Lives Matter Plaza in June 2020, in an act of public defiance. This move came after days of chaotic protests at the location, following the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
Bowser’s approach to the protests had put her in direct conflict with Trump, who had accused her of losing control of the city and had even threatened to invoke his power to take over the Metropolitan Police Department. Although he did not follow through on his threat, he declared a multiagency lockdown, which included intimidating tactics such as low-flying helicopters.
However, in Trump’s second term in office, Bowser has worked to avoid conflict and downplay any points of contention. She even traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate to meet with him after his election and has publicly emphasized their points of agreement, including their mutual desire to return federal workers back to their offices full time.
Recently, Trump has revived his frequent campaign talking point of wanting a federal “takeover” of the nation’s capital, describing Washington as riddled with crime, graffiti, and homeless encampments. Bowser has refused to comment on reports that the White House was preparing an executive order targeting Washington, instead publicly stating that the greatest threat to the city’s autonomy is “some of the people in Congress.”
The Republican-controlled Congress has repeatedly threatened to interfere in city affairs in various ways. One such measure, currently before Congress, is the Bowser Act, which 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 three-seat GOP House majority. Some representatives have also used budget riders to target Washington policies, ranging from marijuana legalization to the legality of right turns on red lights. Some in Congress have also 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 has already begun to impact the city’s finances. A report from the city’s chief financial officer last week predicted a budget shortfall of $1 billion over the next three years, due to the loss of thousands of federal workers.
Bowser’s public support for 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 move as “performative wokeness” and criticized her for being biased towards the police. Following her recent decision to remove 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, stating, “You never cared about Black Lives Mattering. You painting those words were performative.”
Despite the backlash from some activists, Bowser’s decision to remove the street painting is a necessary step in protecting the city’s autonomy and prioritizing the well-being of its residents. With the federal job cuts already causing a significant impact on the city’s finances, it is crucial for Bowser to focus on addressing this issue and not be distracted by unnecessary political interference.
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought about important conversations and changes in society, and Bowser’s initial support for the street painting was a powerful symbol of solidarity. However, as the city faces unprecedented challenges, it is time to shift the focus towards finding solutions and working together to overcome them. Mayor Bowser’s actions serve as a reminder that in times of crisis, it is essential to put aside political differences and prioritize the needs of the community.
