Two First Amendment activities will be held on the National Mall and Capitol Hill itself. On Friday, The March for Life heads down Constitution Avenue culminating at the Supreme Court. On Sunday, marchers opposed to vaccine mandates will march from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial where they will rally.
Representatives from the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM) said that at this time, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) has not identified any threats to or from the weekend events.
“However, please be aware that there are many groups coming in from outside D.C. who may not be aware of or supportive of the District’s new vaccination requirements for certain establishments,” EOM added in a release.
Friday
Friday, Jan. 21 The March for Life will be held on the National Mall and Capitol Hill. Representatives from the US Supreme Court said up to 50,000 people are expected to participate. Attendees are planning to march down Constitution Ave from 12th Street NW to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Arrival at the court building is likely to be between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m.
There are road closures and parking restrictions related to the event:
Maryland Avenue between First Street NE and Constitution Avenue will be closed starting at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate the arrival of first responders.
Starting at 10 a.m. as late as 5 p.m., First Street NE, East Capitol Street, and Second Street NE bordering the Court will be closed to vehicular traffic as necessary
The portable barricade on A Street will be raised starting at approximately 9:00 a.m.; residents and deliveries will be able to access A Street.
Pedestrian access to these streets, with the exception of Maryland Avenue and the Court (west) sidewalk on Second Street NE, will not be restricted.
Parking in the A Street lot and on A Street will not be affected. Parking is restricted on Second Street NE behind the Court as posted presently (no parking between 9 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.). The public parking typically available on East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue in the evenings will be accessible at the conclusion of the event.
MPD Reports Closures:
• Constitution Avenue from 14th Street, NW to 2nd Street, NE
• Pennsylvania Avenue from 7th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
• 12th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Madison Drive, NW
• 12th Street Tunnel
• 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 9th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 9th Street Tunnel
• 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 6th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 3rd Street from C Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
Saturday
The Defeat the Mandates March takes place on Sunday, Jan. 23, on the National Mall to express opposition to vaccine mandates. According to the website, attendees “are gathering together in peace and solidarity for the preservation of personal sovereignty and to STOP medical coercion, discrimination and mandates.”
Attendees will gather at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington Monument and the march will begin at 11:30 a.m. ending at the Lincoln Memorial, where a rally will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.. Prominent anti-mandates are scheduled to address the crowd including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
As always, please report any imminent threats, emergencies, and criminal activity to 911. Also, call 202-727-9099, text 50411, or visit the iWatch D.C. site to report suspicious activity.
MPD will release any road closure information as it becomes available and post information on their MPD traffic Twitter
