By Matt Delaney The Washington Times Wednesday, March 5, 2025

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the District will remove the huge “Black Lives Matter” mural on 16th Street NW and replace it with street art designed by schoolchildren to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Ms. Bowser, a Democrat, announced the move Tuesday after Rep. Andrew Clyde, Georgia Republican, introduced a bill in Congress that calls for withholding federal funding from the city if the Black Lives Matter Plaza is allowed to remain.

“The mural inspired millions and helped our city through a very painful period,” the mayor said in a statement, referring to the mural’s installation in 2020, when the nationwide protests and riots broke out following the police-involved murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“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,” the mayor said Tuesday. “Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”

Ms. Bowser said in October 2021 the mural and name Black Lives Matter Plaza would be permanent.

The U.S. will celebrate its 250th anniversary in July 2026.

Mr. Clyde’s bill, introduced Monday, says “certain apportionment funds” would be pulled from the District if the name is allowed to remain.

His legislation also suggests that the District will change the name of the two-block stretch of 16th Street NW — that sits directly north of the White House — to Liberty Plaza.