Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stunned the country, and the White House, today by painting the phrase “Black Lives Matter” in bold yellow letters on 16th street in the nation’s Capital. Bowser also officially changed the street name to “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
16th street in D.C. leads directly to the White House where, on Monday night, peaceful protesters were violently dispersed by US Park Police and National Guard troops using tear gas and rubber bullets, all so President Trump could have a photo op in front of Saint John Episcopal Church – a horrible episode that Mayor Bowser, along with the rest of the country, was mortified and highly offended by.
While the gesture has been hailed as an awesome symbol denouncing police brutality by most, the Black Lives Matter D.C. chapter has clipped the Mayor’s wings with quick and fierce criticism. From their official account they said this…
“This is a performative distraction from real policy changes. Bowser has consistently been on the wrong side of BLMDC history. This is to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands. Black Lives Matter means defund the police. @emilymbadger say it with us.”
It’s clear the organization is not happy with the move – in fact, the national chapter has no mention of Mayor Bowser’s efforts at all. Might they come to demand Mayor Bowser to take their name off the street, until she capitulates to defunding her police force? Assuming they have the phrase protected, could Black Lives Matter actually sue the city over the issue?
There might be more than just egg on the face of Mayor Muriel Bowser behind this one. Her critics and the entire conservative media are definitely going to pounce on this one. She might have thought to give Black Lives Matter a heads up before she hauled off and used their name. Until the next time it drips….
