via Mayor Muriel Bowser

From a press release:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that the construction of the District’s permanent Black Lives Matter Plaza monument at 16th Street between K Street and H Street NW is officially complete.

“When we created Black Lives Matter Plaza in June 2020, we sent a strong message that Black Lives Matter, and that power has always been and always will be with well-meaning people. Today, we have transformed the mural into a monument,” said Mayor Bowser. “One of my proudest memories of Black Lives Matter Plaza is when, in his final days, Congressman John Lewis came to see it for himself. He recognized Black Lives Matter Plaza as good trouble, and we know it will remain a gathering place for reflection, planning and action, as we work toward a more perfect union.” Read More

via BLM DC

From Black Lives Matter DC:

“Join An’Twan Gilmore‘s family in the streets this Friday! Read More

16th and K Street, NW Photos by Megan Gamble

Thanks to Megan for sharing the latest from Black Lives Matter Plaza yesterday. Construction is expected to conclude by October 1, 2021. Read More

photo by Thaha Sherwani

Thaha and many others shared last night:

“protest on New York Ave NE And Florida Ave #. Across the street from Wendy’s.”

The protest was in response to the police shooting and killing of An’Twan Gilmore on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, Northeast. Read More

16th and K Street, NW looking towards the White House

From DDOT:

“Today, Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announce that construction to make Black Lives Matter Plaza a permanent installation will begin on Monday, July 19 and is expected to conclude by October 1, 2021. Read More

From Black Lives Matter DC:

“Rev. George Gilbert and The Center for Racial Equity and Justice are calling for immediate action on policing. This Thursday May 6, 2021 (the Thursday before Mother’s Day) at 12PM they are calling for 1,000 mothers, grandmothers, and women on the frontlines affected by police terror to join the Hear the Cry Rally. They are coming together at Freedom Plaza to answer George Floyd’s cry for “Momma!” and demand that the President, Congress, and Senate act swiftly to address policing in America. Read More

Photo by Sam Ward near Judiciary Square

About those low flying helicopters at the June BLM protests the Washington Post now reports:

“In an announcement, the Army said one helicopter “hovered under 100 feet” over the heads of people in the nation’s capital on June 1 as D.C. police and federal agencies worked to disperse crowds protesting police brutality after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis days earlier. Read More

Photo by Diane Krauthamer

Thanks to Diane for sharing these powerful photos: “vigil to remember Breonna Taylor, one year after she was murdered. Malcolm X Park, Washington, DC” Read More

“Dear PoPville,

As if we needed more evidence that the DC police budget is extremely inflated and misdirected…this scene from Columbia Rd NW between 18th and 16th on the evening of 2/6/21. A small group of peaceful protesters (30-40 people tops; I’m guessing racial justice-focused based on their chants, but I do not know the organizing group nor do I speak for them) walked down Columbia Rd while a disproportionately large police presence preceded them AND followed them. In the attached image, the only group NOT circled is the protestors.

Police escorting large protests/marches to maintain traffic safety is one thing, but this is excessive and clearly intimidating. Read More

Thanks to Sylvia for sending from Dupont.