A mural that had become one of the most recognizable symbols of the nation’s# BlackLives Matter movement for nearly five years was housed in a block leading up to the White House for almost five years.
And that was far too much for Rep. Andrew Clyde, Georgia’s representative, who threatened to withhold federal money from Washington’s two blocks if the daring golden letters weren’t removed from the two stones that had been renamed Liberty Plaza. Renaming Black Lives Matter Plaza , according to Rep. Clyde, was a key component of President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the fight against diversity, capital, and participation.
In a press release announcing the March 3 act, he wrote that” The Left has allowed this greatly controversial phrase badly stain the pavements of America’s investment capital for nearly five years.” It’s past time for Congress to practice its constitutional authority over Washington’s politics to name the city Liberty Plaza instead of BLM Plaza. Our nation’s capital may be a pillar of liberty, loyalty, and safety, rather than a beacon of wokeness, division, and lawlessness.
The painting may be taken down just as Clyde wanted, according to  , Washington  , Mayor Muriel Bowser  , next week. She claimed that the area had more of a battle to win than one over a city, citing the widespread layoffs affecting federal employees in the country’s capital and other threats by Republicans to its home rule.
The painting inspired millions of people and helped our town through a difficult time, but then we didn’t manage to be stifled by pointless parliamentary interference, she wrote in a statement. ” Our top priority must be the devastation caused by the federal employment slashes,” we say. Our main priorities are supporting our residents who have been affected by these cuts, public health, and economic expansion.
Bowser has also been focusing on her marriage with Trump, holding private meetings with him as part of the administration’s efforts to cut costs and the potential enormous effects on Washington people. Workers at Her Black Lives Matter Plaza , Olive Branch, began digging up the mural’s embedded cement on Monday, a danger that was much greater.
On Tuesday, the U.S. House  will vote on legislation to fund government spending that, if approved, would need Bowser to quickly reduce the city’s budget by around$ 1 billion. The general budget breaks could lead to the closure of libraries, cuts, and other collection closings — services that local taxpayers and not the national government pay for.
Bowser and other local authorities have fought to have the area exempt from the continuous resolution’s required cuts, but Republicans have so far refused to support any changes. The Constitution grants Congress last power over all issues involving the capital city, according to the U.S. Constitution.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2025
distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
