DC paints ‘Black Lives Matter’ on street leading to the White House

Washington, D.C., is painting large yellow letters spelling out “Black Lives Matter” on a major road leading to the White House. 

The letters span two blocks of 16th Street NW in the nation’s capital and take up the width of the two-lane road. 

Painters started on the project early Friday morning after being contacted by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), according to multiple reports. Bowser’s chief of staff John Falcicchio tweeted Friday “There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honor demonstrators who peacefully protesting on Monday evening.”

There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honor demonstrators who peacefully protesting on Monday evening. https://t.co/bjdVXLUf12

— John J. Falcicchio #StayHomeDC (@falcicchio) June 5, 2020

The painters were part of a crew from the city’s Department of Public Works, according to NBC Washington.

ABC7-WJLA reporter Victoria Sanchez shared photos from the scene of the painting.  

Give me a “B”!
Local mural artists are using two DC blocks leading up to the White House for a District-sanctioned art project. It looks like it will spell out “Black Lives Matter”.@ABC7News pic.twitter.com/PaGs16TRQm

— Victoria Sanchez (@VictoriaSanchez) June 5, 2020

More paint!!!
The artists are getting back to work. pic.twitter.com/vlx2LDGNEy

— Victoria Sanchez (@VictoriaSanchez) June 5, 2020

The Washington, D.C., chapter of Black Lives Matter criticized the move, however, calling it “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,” the organization said. “Black Lives Matter means defund the police.” 

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 https://t.co/w0ekwSG1ip

— BlackLivesMatter DC (@DMVBlackLives) June 5, 2020

The mural is just blocks from Lafayette Square, one of the main sites of protests that have broken out in the city over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died last week after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

President Trump on Monday walked to visit the historic St. John’s Church near the White House after peaceful protesters were removed from Lafayette Square by law enforcement officers.