Protests, events are expected to draw large crowds to D.C.
Visits come during time of heightened anxiety in country
Over the next two weeks, tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Washington for a variety of causes. They will protest gun violence - and demonstrate in support of abortion rights and living wages. They will march in the Capital Pride Parade, enjoy Columbia Heights Day, a neighborhood festival, and honor Salvadoran culture in Mount Pleasant, another neighborhood. They will run in a 10k race to promote healthy lifestyles, dance in downtown streets at a music festival and celebrate Juneteenth, a day that has come to symbolize the end of slavery in the United States.
This rush of demonstrations and other mass gatherings comes at a time of heightened anxiety - following several high-profile mass shootings across the country, demonstrations at the Supreme Court and at the homes of particular justices, and the recent arrest of man authorities say traveled from California
in an attempt to kill Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI assistant director in charge Steven M. D’antuono said in a joint statement Friday that their offices will not tolerate violence “under the guise” of a peaceful demonstration.
City officials said they are prepared to welcome the large crowds and maintain safety, but recommended visitors travel by public transportation and be mindful of their surroundings.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend. We’re ready for it . . . . Let’s celebrate our D.C. values and have a lot
of fun,” Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, D, said, adding later: “We are prepared, and we don’t live in fear.”
Washington police are increasing their presence in the city, deploying civil-disturbance units and closing roads to gird for several large protests, events and celebrations that are planned in the nation’s capital over the next two weekends, top city officials said at a news conference Friday.
Police Chief Robert J. Contee III repeatedly discouraged visitors and event participants from bringing guns into the city, broadly acknowledging national incidents of gun violence.
“Firearms have no place at these events,” Contee said during a Friday news conference. “We’re not going to tolerate foolishness.”
Bowser said that although people may be “feeling that fear,” city officials are prepared, and excited, to once again be welcoming residents and visitors to celebrate Pride events this weekend, including the Capital Pride Parade, which is scheduled to start near 14th and T streets NW at 3 p.m. Saturday.
On Saturday, supporters of March for Our
Lives, the organization founded by student survivors of the 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla., will rally at noon near the Washington Monument. Organizers expect 50,000 people, according to a permit issued by the National Park Service.