ANKARA

US President Donald Trump characterized Wednesday as a "symbol of hate," a plan to paint "Black Lives Matter" (BLM) on New York City’s iconic 5th Avenue.

"NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue," Trump said on Twitter.

"This will further antagonize New York’s Finest, who LOVE New York & vividly remember the horrible BLM chant, 'Pigs In A Blanket, Fry 'Em Like Bacon," he warned, referring to a chant used in 2015 against police.

Trump urged police to side with him and prevent the painting of the sign.

"Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street," the president said. "Spend this money fighting crime instead!"

City officials announced last week the sign would be painted in bold letters on the street in front of the president's midtown Manhattan tower.

Black Lives Matter gained momentum in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in police custody last month.

Floyd, 46, died after being pinned down May 25 by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota after reportedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill.