Trump removes Black Lives Matter lettering: protests increase!

Trump removes Black Lives Matter lettering: protests increase!

One of the most decisive changes in Washington D.C. Is in full swing: The well-known "Black Lives Matter" lettering, which is emblazoned in the 16th street in a striking yellow, is now being removed. This drastic measure is promoted by construction workers with compressed air hammers in order to remove the symbolic message that has played a central role in the anti-racism movement since its establishment in June 2020. The Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, said that the lettering once “played an important role”, but the time came to focus on the needs of citizens and the economy, as Exxpress.at reported.

The original lettering was installed in memory of George Floyd, who died in 2020 by police violence and thus launched the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Floyd's death triggered nationwide protests and an outcry against racist injustice. A few days ago, Bowser confirmed that the lettering was no longer desired, even after consultation with the White House, where the lettering was rejected. This falls along with Trump's obvious aversion to the movement, which he repeatedly referred to as "terrorists" during his presidency. The region has also received the official name "Black Lives Matter Platz" since this weekend, a place that has just gained new symbolic importance after security forces had acted against peaceful protesters - further evidence of the tensions in the capital, such as the Tagesspiegel reported.

The abolition of this striking lettering follows a number of renaming that Trump and his government have already ordered, including the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico into "Golf of America" and the back name of the highest mountain in North America, Denali, Mount McKinley. The Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde has even threatened the city of Washington with subsidy cuts if "Black Lives Matter Plaza" should not be renamed, which further reinforces the tensions in this political context.