The Florida man who scaled the Frederick Douglass Bridge in Southwest D.C. last week has come down, closing out his 6-day protest.
With the assistance of D.C. Fire and EMS, Guido Reichstadter, 45, left his perch at the top of the bridge just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, after climbing the the bridge barefoot on Friday.
Video from the scene shows Reichstadter packed up his belongings, trekked down part of the bridge and then got into the basket of a fire truck, hoisted up to meet him partway.
After he stepped down into that basket, it appears first responders seemingly restrained Reichstadter by his hands.
WTOP has contacted D.C. police to ask whether Reichstadter is expected to face any charges related to the protest.
Reichstadter scaled the bridge Friday as police and bystanders watched. He unfurled a long black banner and said in posts on social media he was protesting artificial intelligence and the wars in Iran and Palestine.
D.C. police previously confirmed to WTOP that the Florida man had previously climbed the same bridge after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
In a post on social media Tuesday, Reichstadter said he had run out of water on Sunday and would be coming down from the bridge.
“I hope that this action has offered something to motivate and inspire you, and that it can serve as fuel for greater commitment and action in the cause of peace and in the fight for our future,” he wrote.
The bridge was briefly closed in both directions as first responders worked to get Reichstadter down Wednesday morning. WTOP’s Traffic Center reported that all lanes were closed at around 9:10 a.m., and the bridge reopened around 30 minutes later.
D.C. Fire and EMS said a high‑angle technical rescue team has been working with police since Reichstadter climbed one of the bridge’s arches Friday afternoon.
Reichstadter told WTOP’s Alan Etter that he had considered coming down on Monday but was able to find the “stamina to stay up here a bit longer” and a method to charge his phone.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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