John Lewis visits ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza,’ calls protests ‘very moving’

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) met with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and paid a visit to the site where the mayor had “Black Lives Matter” painted on a road that leads to the White House.

“It is very moving, very moving, very impressive,” Lewis said in an interview with a local Fox affiliate of the massive protests that gathered near the White House on Saturday. “I think what the people in D.C. and around the nation are sending a mighty, powerful and strong message to the rest of the world that we will get there.”

Civil Rights leader @repjohnlewis visited 16th St NW outside of the White House – now Black Lives Matter Plaza – Sunday morning. His answer to @fox5dc on his response to Saturday’s massive BLM protests: pic.twitter.com/O1LI4BJb2C

— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) June 7, 2020

“It is very moving, very moving, very impressive. I think what the people in DC and around the nation are sending a mighty, powerful and strong message to the world that WE WILL GET THERE.” Congressman John Lewis on #BlackLivesMatter Plaza this morning pic.twitter.com/kDNiOYzXta

— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 7, 2020

Lewis said last week that he was moved by the widespread protests that have broken out across the country following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“It was very moving to see hundreds of thousands of people from all over America and around the world take to the streets to speak up, to speak out, to get into what I call ‘good trouble,’ or to get in the way,” Lewis said.

“And because of the action of young and old, black, white, Latino, Asian-American and Native Americans … because people cried and prayed, people would never forget what happened, and how it happened,” he continued.

On Friday, the words “Black Lives Matter” were painted in yellow on 16th Street NW. The same day, Bowser announced on Twitter that a section of the street, which she added was “in front of the White House,” had also been officially named “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” 

“There was a dispute this week about whose street this is. Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC’s street and to honor demonstrators who peacefully protesting on Monday evening,” John Falcicchio, the mayor’s chief of staff, tweeted on Friday.

Since its unveiling Friday, the two-block span has been the site of several demonstrations as protesters continue to take to the streets against police brutality and racism following Floyd’s death. 

Bowser also joined a record number of protesters who gathered on the street during a demonstration on Saturday.