The “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” March on Washington event takes place Friday, August 28 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial, with a march set to begin at 1 p.m. ending at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at 3 p.m.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, which marks the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington, the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. and a firey speech by the then National Chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis.
The NAACP is also holding a virtual march, and Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III and the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd are putting together an in-person Commitment March to, as Sharpton said, “fight for criminal justice reform in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones at the hands of the police.”
The expected protest follows hours of protest downtown Thursday night, as crowds gathered near the White House as Donald Trump made a speech concluding the 2020 Republic National Convention. The conclusion of his speech was capped with a lengthy fireworks display as protesters gathered on Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) Director Christopher Rodriguez said DC government has been in contact with the Commitment March on Washington’s organizers about logistics. Rodriguez added that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will be present at the event, as well as the National Guard for traffic control purposes.
Get more information on the “Get Your Knees Off Our Necks” March on Washington HERE.
Road Closures
Residents can expect to see some delays and road closures, Rodriguez said at the August 26 Situational Update Report.The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from approximately 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.:
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 18th Street NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street NW to 18th Street NW
- Independence Avenue from 3rd Street NW to 23rd Street SW
- Connecticut Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW
- Vermont Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW
- I Street from 12th Street NW to 18th Street NW
- H Street from 12th Street NW to 18th Street NW
- K Street from 12th Street NW to 18th Street NW
- New York Avenue from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW
- 17th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW
- 16th Street From H Street NW to O Street NW
- 15th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue SW to K Street NW
- 13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to E Street NW
- 12th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW
- 11th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW
- 10th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW
- Ninth Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Seventh Street from Independence Avenue SW to E Street NW
- Sixth Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Fourth Street from Independence Avenue SW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Third Street from Independence Avenue SW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 23rd Street from E Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- E Street from 23rd Street NW to 18th Street NW
- New York Avenue from 18th Street NW to 17th Street NW
- 20th Street from E Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from E Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 19th Street from E Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street from 18th Street NW to Virginia Avenue NW
- C Street from Virginia Avenue NW to 21st Street NW
- D Street from 18th Street NW to 17th Street NW
- Madison Street from Third Street NW to 15th Street NW
- Jefferson Street from Third Street NW to 15th Street NW
The following streets will be restricted to vehicular traffic from approximately 6:00 a’m’ to 11:59 p.m.: (If safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to-and-from their residence).
- Independence Avenue SW from 14th Street to Ohio Drive, SW
- 23rd Street NW from Constitution Avenue NW to Memorial Bridge
- Henry Bacon Drive, NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street NW
- Southbound Rock Creek Parkway will be closed at Virginia Avenue NW
- Maine Avenue SW will be closed at I-395 to all westbound traffic
- Access to East Potomac Park from I-395 will be by National Park Service permit only
- 18th Street NW from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 17th Street NW from L Street to Independence Avenue SW
- 16th Street NW from L Street to I Street NW
- 15th Street NW from L Street to Independence Avenue SW
- 14th Street NW from L Street to Independence Avenue SW
- 13th Street NW from L Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- New York Avenue from 11th Street NW to 15th Street NW
- Vermont Avenue from L Street NW to H Street NW
- Connecticut Avenue from L Street NW to H Street NW
- I Street NW from 12th Street to 18th Street NW
- H Street NW from 12th Street to 18th Street NW
- G Street from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW and 17th Street to 18th Street
- F Street NW from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW and 17th Street to 18th Street
- E Street NW from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW and 17th Street to 18th Street
- D Street NW from 17th Street to 18th Street
- Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW and 17th Street to 18th Street NW
Get details at mpdc.dc.gov/release/traffic-advisory-commitment-march
