On the 12th of July, Mayor Bowser rolled out a new tactic to harass the ongoing occupation of 16th st, which she herself renamed "Black Lives Matter Plaza." A "No vending zone" was declared on the plaza, signs posted, and venders warned to leave or else. This tactic is normally used to protect corporate chain stores from competition.

Perhaps Ms Bowser figures Target and Wal-Mart are hiring, and that growth of the occupation of Black Lives Matter Plaza does not suit her interests? Certainly the record suggests this. She cynically had the Black Lives Matter Plaza letters repainted just hours after one of the periodic night terror raids by MPD on people overnighting on the plaza a while back.