MOSCOW, June 5. /TASS/. A part of a street leading to the White House was renamed ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza’ to support the movement against police violence and racism, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Friday.
"The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza,’ she said in a Twitter post.
Hundreds of protestors who gathered in the US capital cheered and applauded the decision, a TASS correspondent reported from the scene.
"Our mayor is a wonderful person! She renamed this street in our support. We are glad!" one of the protesters said in a loudspeaker, with cheer from the crowd.
Workers and volunteers painted the ‘Black Lives Matter’ message in giant yellow letters on the road surface, along with the District of Columbia flag. The painted slogan spans two blocks of 16th Street and ends near the St. John’s Church, which was earlier set on fire by protestors. On Monday, US President Donald Trump took a stroll toward the building. Prior to that, police dispersed protests at the adjacent Lafayette Square.
US President Donald Trump has not reacted to the move so far, but threatened the Washington mayor with sending more law-enforcement forces to the capital after she expressed her discontent with the National Guard being deployed in DC.
So far, the situation near the White House remains largely calm, with outside temperature reaching about +30 degrees Centigrade. Protesters are seen peacefully changing slogans, holding banners and dancing. Snacks and cold water bottles are being distributed free of charge.
Although police are present in the area, officers are either sitting in their cars or staying in the shadow.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of an African-American Minneapolis man named George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest. On May 26, all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired. On May 29, the policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, on June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are now facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
To counter the riots, local law enforcement is often supported by the National Guard. So far, 40 cities, including New York, have enacted a curfew.