Donald Trump's been at the receiving end of backlash this week but that's not actually anything new. His decision to bring in the National Guard as protests erupted across the country only led to more harm than good with peaceful protesters facing excessive force at the hands of law enforcement officials as they protest against it.
The mayor of Washington, specifically, demanded that Trump pull the National Guard out of the city. She even went as far as getting Black Lives Matter painted on the street leading to the White House. Though Trump has threatened to deploy other agencies into the city during the protests, he's now announced that he'll be pulling out the National Guard. Starting in Washington, D.C., though this could be temporary.
"I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control. They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed. Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated!" Trump tweeted.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to Trump on Friday asking that he removes the National Guard, especially since local police made no arrests.
"The protestors have been peaceful, and last night, the Metropolitan Police Department did not make a single arrest. Therefore, I am requesting that you withdraw all extraordinary law enforcement and military presence from Washington, DC," she wrote.
Black Lives Matter Plaza: Street In Front Of White House Receives New Name
The Mayor of D.C. has not only changed the street in front of the White House to “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” she’s emblazoned it across the street, and requested Donald Trump remove the military presence from D.C.
As the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death continue into their second week, some cities have been more accommodating and responsive to the protestors’ mission than others. The Mayor of the District of Columbia, Mayor Bowser, seems to be in that camp.
Today, she shared a letter on her Instagram page where she demanded President Trump remove the military presence and unidentified patrolling officers from the city, citing the end of her curfew this morning, and equally, peaceful protests from the night before, resulting in zero arrests or incidents. “I request that @realdonaldtrump withdraw all extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence from our city,” she wrote above the letter, which you can read below.
However this is not her only show of solidarity with the people of D.C.– as being seen across social media this morning, the city has emblazoned the street in front of the White House with the words: BLACK LIVES MATTER. She’s also changed the street name, from 16th St, to Black Lives Matter Plaza. “The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza”,” Mayor Bowser announced.
Black Lives Matter Plaza sign in D.C. – Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Check out footage from the scene in the posts below.
