GOP Lawmakers Urge DC Mayor to Rename Black Lives Matter Plaza Due to Alleged Antisemitism

Republican senators and representatives argue that BLM's endorsement of antisemitic attacks and tirades against Israel stand in opposition to American values, urging DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to put an end to the city's recognition of the group.

• Republican officials, led by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), are urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to rename Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington D.C., alleging that the movement openly supports Hamas, which they claim to be antisemitic.
• The GOP lawmakers pointed to posts from BLM chapters, especially one from BLM Chicago featuring an image of a person believed to be a Hamas terrorist, captioned 'I stand with Palestine,' which they argue delegitimize Israel and encourage attacks on Jewish people.
• Black Lives Matter Plaza, a two-block pedestrian walkway near the White House, was created following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The area features a large street painting spelling 'Black Lives Matter.'
• Lawmakers assert that the BLM movement's endorsement of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel stands against American values. They argue that keeping the plaza name and street painting is a celebration of a 'terrorist sympathizer group.'
• Over 20 senators and representatives have signed the letter calling for the renaming of the plaza. Bowser's office has yet to respond to the request.

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