In Washington, D.C., there are plans to refurbish the Black Lives Matter mural, despite ongoing criticism of the group’s support for Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Several Black Lives Matter affiliate groups expressed approval for Hamas’ actions, including their deadly incursion on October 7th. The District Department of Transportation has confirmed that the mural will be refreshed by Thanksgiving, as reported by the Daily Signal.
Black Lives Matter Grassroots issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Palestinian resistance against settler colonialism and apartheid, while downplaying the characterization of Hamas’ actions as terrorism. Black Lives Matter Chicago also demonstrated support for the attacks through a graphic on social media. In Indianapolis, a local Black Lives Matter chapter reposted a tweet advocating for the Palestinian right to resist what was described as racist, white supremacist, land-stealing Zionist occupiers.
The mural was initially commissioned by Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in response to the death of George Floyd. It features the words “BLACK LIVES MATTER” and covers two blocks near the White House. The area was also renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza during the summer of 2020, and the city allocated $7.8 million for its reconstruction in support of the racial justice movement.
