Rubio Applauds DC City Council for Taking Up Boris Nemtsov Plaza Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio released the following statement after the Washington, D.C. City Council today held a designation hearing on a bill to rename the street in front of the Russian Embassy as 'Boris Nemtsov Plaza.'

"Since Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov's assassination in February 2015, I have worked to honor his legacy, including by introducing bipartisan "Boris Nemtsov Plaza' legislation in the U.S. Senate on the second anniversary of his murder. I thank D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh for leading this effort at the city level and bringing it closer to a reality.

"Boris Nemtsov was a Russian statesman who stood up--and died--in defense of the freedoms and rights of the Russian people. By renaming the block outside the Russian Embassy in Washington 'Boris Nemtsov Plaza', we will send a clear message to Vladimir Putin and his cronies that the American people stand with Russians who are bravely working to build a free and democratic future for their country.

"It is my hope that one day there will be a Russian government that is proud to have Boris Nemtsov's name outside of their embassy."

In November, Rubio, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), and Vladimir Kara-Murza met with Chairman Mendelson and Councilmember Mary Cheh to discuss Boris Nemtsov Plaza.

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