Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is leading a new Republican effort to erase “Black Lives Matter Plaza” from the map in Washington, D.C., and rename it after conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this year.
Mace introduced a bill Wednesday (December 10) that would officially redesignate the two-block stretch of 16th Street NW — the section that leads directly to the White House — as “Charlie Kirk Freedom of Speech Plaza.”
The plaza was formally named in 2020 by the D.C. Council after massive protests following the murder of George Floyd. Mace's proposal comes months after the Trump administration removed the original Black Lives Matter street signage, dismantling the large yellow lettering that became a global symbol of racial justice during the 2020 protests.
The legislation is the latest in a wave of Republican moves aimed at posthumously honoring Kirk. Since his death, Kirk has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump, had a California street named after him, and been memorialized in resolutions passed by both the House and Senate. In Florida, GOP lawmakers have also proposed making October 14 “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.”
Mace’s bill outlines several requirements: new street signs bearing the updated name and mandatory revisions across all federal maps, laws, regulations, and official records to reflect the change. “By designating this plaza in the heart of our nation’s capital, we ensure Charlie’s legacy and his unwavering commitment to the First Amendment will never be forgotten,” Mace said in a statement.
Kirk’s legacy has been the subject of intense debate. Turning Point USA, the organization he founded, was repeatedly criticized by civil rights groups for promoting misinformation, amplifying election denialism, and elevating rhetoric targeting Black communities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ Americans. Watchdog organizations also documented TPUSA’s ties to extremist speakers and events, making the proposal to replace Black Lives Matter Plaza with his name especially contentious.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.