WASHINGTON – Two marches on Friday and Saturday will likely bring a large number of protesters and pose travel challenges for those attending or trying to avoid the crowds downtown.
“Friday will be the annual March For Life rally on the mall, followed by a march down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court,” said Mike Litterst, spokesman with the National Park Service.
Saturday will mark just under one year since the 2017 Women’s March, in protest of President Trump’s comments and policies regarding women, minorities and immigrants.
This year’s Saturday event is being called March On The Polls.
“That includes a rally at the Lincoln Memorial from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., followed by a march to Lafayette Park,” said Litterst.
Both of the events were granted permits from the Park Service.
“The March For Life was issued for 50,000 to 100,000 participants,” said Litterst. “The Women’s March was issued for 5,500 participants.”
Last year’s Women’s March had crowds estimated at more than 1 million people.
“The March for Life is an annual event that we’ve gotten used to, and it’s certainly a peaceful event,” said Litterst. “Last year’s much larger crowds (for the Women’s March), had no issues, considering the number of people participating in that.”
Metro is planning weekend track work, which could compound the crowds.
D.C. police and the District Department of Transportation plan to close streets Friday morning, with the maximum impact on traffic expected during the midday and during the evening rush hours.
The following streets will be closed from approximately 6 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
- F Street NW, between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW
The following rolling street closures will be in place from approximately 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- 7th Street NW, from F Street to Jefferson Drive NW
The following rolling street closures will be in place from approximately 1:15 to 3:30 p.m.
- Constitution Avenue NW, from 12th Street NW to 1st Sreet. NE
