New Bill Proposes Renaming D.C. Plaza After Charlie Kirk

Legislation has been introduced that could rename parts of Washington, D.C., in honor of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was recently assassinated. Representative Nancy Mace has put forth a bill to rename what is currently known as “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”

Mace expressed her views quite strongly, stating, “Black Lives Matter is a terrorist organization that wants to defund the police and take away your speech.” She added that her aim, on the three-month anniversary of Kirk’s death, is to celebrate him and the First Amendment by honoring him with a plaza name change.

Initially gaining prominence after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, Black Lives Matter has faced scrutiny from both right-wing figures and some Democrats. Critics claim the organization has overstepped, especially in its calls to “defund the police.”

The plaza was renamed in June 2020 amid widespread protests, featuring a large mural in the street declaring “Black Lives Matter.” Now, a proposal is in place for a state lawmaker to impose financial penalties on universities failing to rename roads after Kirk.

Mace acknowledged that while she has doubts about her bill’s chances in the House, she’s ready to advocate fiercely for it. This bill comes in the wake of Kirk’s assassination during a free speech event at a university in Utah, which has led to bipartisan condemnation as a tragic event attacking free speech principles.

Prosecutors in Utah are pursuing the death penalty for the accused, Tyler James Robinson. In memory of Kirk, multiple measures are being taken, with Mace emphasizing the ongoing need to honor his legacy: “Rich members, I think the congressman has done his part. But there’s still a lot of work to do.” A resolution honoring Kirk has already passed in the House, gaining support from all Republicans and a significant number of Democrats, though some voted against it.