Protest site in Washington renamed "Black Lives Matter Plaza"

Text by: RFI Follow

Since the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, thousands of people have marched every day in Washington and gathered in particular in front of the security barriers erected in front of the White House. This Friday, the mayor of the federal capital officially renamed the premises. Part of I Street is now called "Black Lives Matter Plaza"

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Jade Moor wanted to see it with his own eyes. The young woman is photographed in front of the new signs indicating the place Black Lives Matter, installed the same morning by the town hall of Washington. "Black Lives Matter," was also painted by activists in huge yellow letters on the pavement.

Many people come to be photographed on the Black lives matter in giant yellow letters traced on the pavement. pic.twitter.com/3iqNKATZ0h

A little further, dancers wiggle in front of the crowd. Candice Venguer, she stands in front of the White House and brandishes, motionless, the portrait of George Floyd, died by asphyxiation in Minneapolis after his arrest on May 25. The video of his arrest, where a police officer crushed his neck with his knee for almost nine minutes, sparked protests across the country.

“  The atmosphere here has changed so much since Monday. We were sitting here praying on Monday when the police suddenly appeared in combat gear and now the mayor has renamed the Black Lives Matter, and it is also written on the street. I think it shows her solidarity and I feel much more supported than earlier this week,  ”said Candice Venguer at the microphone of our correspondent, Anne Corpet .

In front of the White House this afternoon pic.twitter.com/VIAjAmYFLJ

Middie Bareloni distributes bottles of water to onlookers. She appreciates the gesture of the mayor of the federal capital. A good start, she says. "  I am very grateful that Muriel Bowser behaves like a true leader, but now we have to make sure that his policy, that the laws, the regulations follow soon  ". Muriel Bowser, the African-American mayor of Washington, asked the president to order the withdrawal of the thousands of soldiers of the National guard who patrol in the capital. She denounces the deployment of unidentified troops in the streets of her city. 

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