Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, Marco Rubio, U.S. Representative Jim Banks, and 20 Republican members have called on Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to rename the "Black Lives Matter Plaza" and remove the street painting that reads "Black Lives Matter." The request comes in light of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization's support for Hamas and their anti-Semitic rhetoric following the recent terrorist attacks against Israelis and Americans.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Bowser, the members express their concerns about BLM's open celebration of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. They argue that such a stance is incompatible with American values and urge the immediate renaming of the plaza and removal of the associated street painting. The letter states:

"BLM continues to openly celebrate the anti-Semitic Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. This stance is irreconcilable with American values. America must clearly affirm its stance against anti-Semitism, wherever it appears. We therefore urge you to immediately rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza, to remove the associated street painting in the plaza, and to end the city’s celebration of this terrorist sympathizer group."

The letter was signed by several other Republican senators and representatives, including Thom Tillis, Marsha Blackburn, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott, Josh Hawley, Steve Daines, Ralph Norman, Josh Brecheen, John Rose, Ronny Jackson, Jeff Duncan, Ronny Jackson, C. Scott Franklin, John Rutherford, Elise Stefanik, Earl "Buddy" Carter, Doug LaMalfa, Troy Nehls, Michael Waltz, and Claudia Tenney.

The members cite specific instances where BLM chapters expressed support for the terrorists responsible for the attacks. They highlight a post by the Chicago BLM Chapter that featured an image of a Palestinian terrorist paragliding into Israel to kill Jews with the caption, "I stand with Palestine." The D.C. chapter of BLM is also mentioned for their posts accusing Israel of "apartheid" and casting doubt on the atrocities that occurred during the attacks.

The letter argues that these statements by BLM chapters aim to delegitimize Israel and rationalize brutal attacks on the Jewish people. They claim that this anti-Semitic sentiment is evident in BLM Grassroots, the main assembly of BLM chapters, which expressed support for the murderous attacks and justified them as resistance against "75 years of settler colonialism and apartheid."

The members commend Mayor Bowser for her rejection of terrorism and anti-Semitism but assert that movements that celebrate violent anti-Semitism should not be honored with a plaza, especially one located outside the White House.

The call to rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza and remove the associated street painting is a response to the Republican members' concerns regarding BLM's support for Hamas and their anti-Semitic rhetoric. The members believe that the plaza should not celebrate a group that sympathizes with terrorists and promotes hate against the Jewish people.

The ball is now in Mayor Bowser's court to address this request and decide whether or not to take action on renaming the plaza and removing the street painting.

The full letter can be read on the official website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-rubio-banks-20-republican-members-insist-dc-rename-plaza-following-blm-pro-hamas-rhetoric