By Michael W. Chapman | June 11, 2020

Because D.C.'s liberal Mayor Muriel Bowser allowed activists to paint "Black Lives Matter" on a street near the White House, the legal group Judicial Watch has asked the mayor for permission to paint its motto -- "Because No One is Above the Law" -- on a street on Capitol Hill.

The message "would be the identical size and coloring of the D.C. Government’s 'Black Lives Matter' political message on 16th Street NW," said Judicial Watch in a June 11 press release.

“Mayor Bowser made a decision to turn D.C. streets into a forum for public expression," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Judicial Watch seeks equal access to use this new forum to educate Americans by painting our organization’s motto and motivation, ‘Because No One Is Above the Law!,’ on a Capitol Hill street."

“This rule of law message is timely, as it is a reminder that rule of law applies to – and protects – all Americans," he said.

"If we are unlawfully denied access and face viewpoint discrimination, we are prepared to go to court to vindicate our First Amendment rights," said Fitton.

In its June 10 letter to May Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, Judicial Watch said, "We note with interest Mayor Bowser’s recent decision approving the painting of 'Black Lives Matter' on 16th Street NW and the approval of and/or acquiescence in the painting of 'Defund the Police' alongside the first message. Both messages are expressive activity."

"... Because D.C street surfaces are now being used as public fora for expressive activity, we would like to have our motto painted on a street, preferably Independence Avenue SW, between 2nd and 4th Streets SW, which is near our offices," reads the letter.

"... Judicial Watch, Inc. would pay the cost of the painting, but we would likely need the assistance of the D.C. Government to aid in traffic diversion and parking restrictions while the painting is completed," said the organization. "Of course, the painting could be completed when traffic is typically light, as was done with the 'Black Lives Matter' message."

snip

https://www.cnsnews.com/article/washingt...o-one-above-law