Washington D.C. Takes Black Lives Matter Plaza off the Map [WATCH]

Construction crews began work Monday to dismantle Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., as onlookers watched 16th Street near the White House undergo changes.

The removal follows recent political pressure to rename the area and is expected to be part of a broader redevelopment effort in the city.

Residents and visitors gathered to witness the transformation, expressing mixed emotions about the decision.

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Dr. Kristy McDowell of northern Virginia shared her disappointment over the removal.

“It’s disappointing. I wish it wasn’t happening. I’m not gonna say I’m angry, you know, I guess we’re beyond anger right now with this administration,” McDowell said.

McDowell, 50, suggested that President Donald Trump influenced the decision, saying D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was forced to take action.

“I’m just disappointed he’s forcing her hand to do this,” McDowell added.

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Bowser indicated last week that the Black Lives Matter Plaza designation would be ending after Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) introduced a proposal to withhold federal funding from Washington, D.C., unless the name was changed.

“The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference,” Bowser said in a statement.

McDowell said she understood the pressure Bowser was facing and did not hold the mayor responsible for the plaza’s removal.

“I understand why she’s doing it, she has a constituency, a district of people to worry about, and she can’t risk losing funding for her city,” McDowell said.

“What are you gonna do? You can’t fight every battle, right? You can’t fight every battle, and this was significant for the time. It’s significant now. However, she has to do what she has to do.”

Joseph White, a 42-year-old from Southeast Washington, also observed the construction and echoed McDowell’s support for Bowser.

“I think everything begins with, like, the president,” White said. “I don’t think the mayor had anything to do with this.”

White called for the administration to act differently, emphasizing the need for unity.

“We don’t want to spark any type of war within our country,” he said. “There’s so much going on around the world, we need peace right now. We just need people to do right.”

Black Lives Matter Plaza was designated in June 2020 during nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.

HAPPENING NOW: Workers are dismantling the “Black Lives Matter Plaza” near the White House

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Despite its removal, McDowell said she believes its impact will not be erased.

“It was a testament to the times of support,” she said. “Letting the world know that our lives mattered and that it was a statement saying that and letting everyone know.”

“To see it go, it doesn’t take away the message.”

Rep. Clyde’s proposal calls for renaming the area “Liberty Plaza” to reflect America’s history as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary.

“Our capital city must serve as a beacon of freedom, patriotism, and safety — not wokeness, divisiveness, and lawlessness,” Clyde said.

While Bowser has not officially announced the new name, she acknowledged that discussions have been ongoing.

“My intention was to announce this with our next America 250 commission meeting, which will be later this month,” Bowser said.

“So while the announcement came a little bit sooner than I had planned, the decision had been made.”

As construction progresses, the final details of the redevelopment remain unclear, but city officials are expected to finalize the transition in the coming weeks.

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