GOP Lawmakers Ask Mayor To Rename ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza’

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street is repainted following the removal of the lettering for a construction project on May 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. The words "Black Lives Matter" was painted on the two block section of 16th Street last year in the wake of the George Floyd protest. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street is repainted following the removal of the lettering for a construction project on May 13th, 2021 in Washington, DC. The words “Black Lives Matter” was painted on the two block section of 16th Street last year in the wake of the George Floyd protest. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
6:10 PM – Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Republican lawmakers have requested for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser to “immediately rename” the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Plaza due to the organization “showing support for Hamas.”

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GOP legislators called for a renaming of the two-block area in front of the White House after the BLM organization had allegedly demonstrated support of Hamas and sent out anti-Israel statements.

BLM is a political and social movement that aims to highlight racism, discrimination, and racial inequality. In 2020, after BLM held several protests and riots, the plaza was constructed in front of the White House. 

However, after BLM chapters across the country allegedly broadcasted horrific anti-Semitic verbiage and images on social media supporting the spread of pro-Hamas propaganda, many Republicans have requested for the plaza to be renamed.

“BLM chapters across the nation have circulated disturbing anti-Semitic rhetoric and images on social media, encouraging the spread of pro-Hamas propaganda,” the group of more than 20 House and Senate Republican members said in a statement accompanying their letter. “Continuing to honor terrorist sympathizers with a plaza in our nation’s capital is a slap in the face to all Americans, especially Jewish and Israeli Americans.”

The lawmakers who signed the letter included: Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.); and Reps. Elisa Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.).

Quickly after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel, multiple BLM chapters expressed their condolences with Paletine and seemed to excuse the terror that the terrorist group carried out on Israel.

The Hamas attacks are estimated to have resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and hundreds of hostages, both Israelis and Americans, were abducted and taken to Gaza. As a result, the IDF has now retaliated with airstrikes.

Many of lawmakers believe honoring terrorist sympathizers with a plaza in the United State’s capital is a “slap in the face” to all Americans, especially Jewish Americans.

The full text of the letter reads:

Dear Mayor Bowser: We write to urge you to immediately rename “Black Lives Matter Plaza” and remove the street painting that reads “Black Lives Matter” due to that movement’s celebration of violent anti-Semitic terrorism. On October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdering more than 1,300 innocent civilians and taking more than 100 hostages, including American citizens. Shockingly, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement expressed support for the murderers. For instance, the Chicago BLM Chapter posted an image of a Palestinian terrorist paragliding into Israel to kill Jews with the caption, “I stand with Palestine.” Further, the D.C. chapter of BLM posted that Israel is guilty of “apartheid,” while sharing posts that cast doubt on the atrocities that took place on October 7th, including the beheading of babies. Moreover, BLM Grassroots, BLM’s main “on the ground assembly of chapters” and the ideological leader of BLM right now, also threw its support behind these murderous attacks. These posts are meant to delegitimize Israel and rationalize brutal attacks on the Jewish people. It is hard to escape the conclusion that these statements are motivated by an ugly animus against the Jewish people. BLM Grassroots said the Hamas attack “must not be condemned but understood” as resistance to “75 years of settler colonialism and apartheid.” Those 75 years account for the entire existence of the Jewish state. You stated after the attacks that you “reject terrorism in all its forms” and that “antisemitism has no place in our institutions, our country, our world or our hearts.” We wholeheartedly agree with this statement. We further believe that movements that celebrate violent anti-Semitism should not be honored by the government with a plaza, especially one located directly outside of our nation’s White House. BLM continues to openly celebrate the antisemitic Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. This stance is irreconcilable with American values. America must clearly affirm its stance against antisemitism, wherever it appears. We therefore urge you to immediately rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza, to remove the associated street painting in the plaza, and to end the city’s celebration of this terrorist sympathizer group. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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