Washington Officials Won’t Remove ‘Defund the Police’ From Street

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stands on the rooftop of the Hay Adams Hotel near the White House and looks out at the words "Black Lives Matter" that have been painted in bright yellow letters on the street by city workers and activists in Washington on June 5, 2020. Executive Office of the Mayor/Khalid Naji-Allah via AP

The words “Defund the Police,” painted by activists in the street near a “Black Lives Matter” mural in Washington, won’t be removed, a representative of the District of Columbia’s Department of Public Works told a local Fox affiliate.

Another part that was added—an equals sign painted between Black Lives Matter and “Defund the Police”—will be removed, the agency said. In its place, a District of Columbia flag that had been removed by activists will be repainted.