List of Protests Planned Saturday

By
Elizabeth O'Gorek
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Protesters are pictured Monday, June 1 in downtown DC. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected downtown Saturday as the District enters a ninth day of protests. “We have a lot of public, open-source information to suggest that the event on this upcoming Saturday may be one of the largest that we’ve had in the city,” Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a press conference Thursday.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said a decision about a possible Saturday curfew would be announced Saturday morning. No curfew had been set as of 9:26 a.m.

Several demonstrations are planned starting as early as 10 a.m. and are likely to blend together as most center around Lafayette Park and the downtown area. 

Troops have been called to DC by the federal government, including National Guard from both Ohio and New Jersey. Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly objected to the presence of these armed units, saying that it is counterproductive to maintaining peaceful protests. Still, there is a heavy armed presence downtown.

If you plan to protest, remember to take precautions in regard to COVID-19. Wear masks and shatter-proof goggles, and practice social distancing if at all possible. Bring hand sanitizer, sunscreen and drinking water: it is expected to be hot Saturday. Note as well that due to the public health crisis, many facilities and businesses downtown remain closed.

Here is a list of known protests taking place today in the District, as found on social media and other sources:

1 Million March Against Police Murder: Assembling at 16 & H Streets NW and at police precincts throughout DC

10 a.m.  March 4 Freedom Mayor’s Office (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue) to Capitol

11 a.m. St John’s Church at Lafayette Square. Episcopal Diocese will pray and witness

12 p.m. We Want Change 1 p.m. March For Justice UDC Black Law Students Assoc Will meet at the Capitol (SW Corner Pennsylvania at Third) and march to White House

11 a.m. Families meeting at Lincoln Park near the Mary McLeod Bethune statue to walk around Lincoln Park.

1 p.m. Party for Socialism and Liberations (PSL) will meet at John Marshall Park at Pennsylvania Ave NE. DM @PSLdc via Twitter for details

2 p.m. Black Disabled Lives Matter rally hosted by DC Association of the Deaf meets at 2013 H St. NW

3 p.m. Defund POL I.C.E. Rally (801 North Capitol St. NW)

4 p.m. Refuse Fascism meets north of Lafayette Park (vicinity 16th & H Street NW) to demand the resignation of the President and Vice-President.

5 p.m. Queer/Trans Rally/March hosted by They/Them Collective DuPont Circle

5 p.m. Black Lives Matter DC will meet at Malcolm X Park (16th at W Streets NW) to march to White House

6 p.m. We Keep Us Safe Go-Go Rally Freedom Plaza

6 p.m. Community 8.46 at DC DPR Takoma Park at 4th St. and Whittier St. NW, neighbors will gather in silence as a community for 8 minutes and 46 seconds *every day*

6:30 p.m. Concerned Citizens of DC will march from Chase Bank (14th at New York Ave NW) towards White House and then the Wilson Building

9 p.m. Black Joy Party by Black Lives Matter DC

Police closed a huge swath of downtown to traffic as of 6 a.m. Saturday. A pedestrian-only zone is bounded on the south by the  Mall and to the north by L Street NW, on the west by 19th Street NW, and to the east Ninth Street NW north of Pennsylvania and Third Street NW along the Mall.

Metro trains will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and Metro buses from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. In anticipation for an influx of riders this weekend, Metro will be reopening the first and eighth train cars to passengers, after closing them to protect operators from COVID-19. Per a regulation handed down last month, all Metro riders are required to wear masks.

DCist has helpfully complied a list of places where protesters can find washrooms and water, as churches, theaters and businesses open their doors. 

 

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