Judicial Watch threatens to sue DC for right to paint on streets

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Judicial Watch, a nonprofit that says it seeks to halt abuses of power by political and judicial officials, uses "Because no one is above the law" as its official motto. In light of the "Black Lives Matter" mural that was painted directly onto 16th Street a few blocks away from the White House last week as part of Bowser's unveiling of the new Black Lives Matter Plaza, the group said it too wants the opportunity to display its message.

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"Mayor Bowser made a decision to turn D.C. streets into a forum for public expression," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a Thursday news release. "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."

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The "Black Lives Matter" mural and the "Defund the Police" message that protesters have since added to it indicate the asphalt is now available as a "public fora for expressive activity," the group said. In the days since last Friday's unveiling in the nation's capital, New York City has also announced plans to paint similar murals on streets in each borough to show support for the movement.

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In a Wednesday letter addressed to Bowser and Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, Judicial Watch said its slogan was "particularly relevant" due to the recent protests that began in response to the death of George Floyd and the conversation happening across the country about how to address systemic racism and reform policing policies.

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

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