D.C. Mayor Makes Case for Statehood, Criticizes Trump

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at Saturday’s protest.ERIC THAYER/REUTERS

“Welcome to Black Lives Matter Plaza,” Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday afternoon before a packed crowd at an intersection in front of the White House renamed by the city a day before.

“It’s so wonderful to see everybody peacefully protesting, wearing your mask, she said. “You know, if you’re like me, on Monday you saw something you hoped you’d never see in the United States of America: federal police moving on American people peacefully protesting in front of the people’s house.”

Ms. Bowser again made the case for statehood for the District of Columbia and took a shot at President Trump.

“If he can take over Washington D.C., he can come for any state and none of us will be safe,” she said. “So today we pushed the Army away from our city. Our soldiers should not be treated that way. They should not be asked to move on American citizens. Today we say no. In November, we say ‘next.’ ”

Mr. Trump hasn’t yet commented on the demonstrations swelling around the White House.

The large group of law enforcement officers that stood watch over the protests near the White House earlier in the week had been scaled back. As of late Friday afternoon, there were no authorities guarding the fence that had been constructed nearby at Lafayette Square.

You May Also Like

More From Author

+ There are no comments

Add yours