Mayor Bowser Signs Mayor’s Order in Preparation for First Amendment Activities

By Press Release On Aug 9, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2018

CONTACT:

Latoya Foster (EOM)

Olivia Dedner (OCA)

Dustin Sternbeck (MPD)

Nicole Peckumn (HSEMA)

Mayor Bowser Signs Mayor’s Order in Preparation for First Amendment Activities

(WASHINGTON, DC) – In preparation for Sunday’s First Amendment activities, Mayor Muriel Bowser today announced the District’s public safety plan, which included the signing of a Mayor’s Order that allows the Bowser Administration to activate the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Prior to the announcement, Mayor Bowser hosted a roundtable discussion with community and faith leaders about the upcoming events.

“As the nation’s capital, we host millions of visitors each year. Fortunately, very, very few share the views that will be expressed in Lafayette Park on Sunday. Washington, DC is a city of love, inclusion, and diversity, and – like millions of Americans across the nation – we know that the people who are coming here to profess hate and sow division are wrong,” said Mayor Bowser. “This weekend, and every day going forward, we will ensure that the world knows that no matter how much attention these people demand, that they will never represent the values of our city or our nation.”

The level two activation of the District’s EOC allows local, state, and federal agencies to work together to coordinate the necessary supports for all critical incident responses. Ahead of this weekend’s events, residents and visitors are being encouraged to sign up for AlertDC at alertdc.dc.gov to receive important and emergency updates from DC Government.

“Several District agencies, regional partners, and federal agencies are staffing the District’s EOC to support the law enforcement response,” said DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Dr. Christopher Rodriguez. “Residents and visitors should sign up for AlertDC and be prepared if they see something, to say something to law enforcement.”

To prepare for the upcoming First Amendment activities, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is coordinating with U.S. Park Police (USPP) and other District and Federal partners to deploy appropriate resources and personnel for the event.

“The Metropolitan Police Department facilitates safe demonstrations on a daily basis,” says Chief of Police Peter Newsham. “Our intentions are to continue to value the first amendment rights of everyone in the District of Columbia without compromising the safety of participants or bystanders.”

Due to several First Amendment activities occurring in the District, MPD will enforce the following road closures on Sunday, August 12, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.:

15^th Street, NW, from Constitution Avenue to K Street, NW
17^th Street, NW, from Constitution Avenue to K Street, NW
18^th Street, NW, from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
19^th Street, NW, from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
20^th Street, NW, from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
21^st Street, NW, from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
22^nd Street, NW, from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
23^rd Street, NW, from Virginia Avenue to Washington Circle, NW
H Street, NW from 17^th Street to 15^th Street, NW
I Street, NW from 17^th Street to 15^th Street, NW
K Street, NW from 17^th Street to 15^th Street, NW
Connecticut Avenue, NW, from H Street to I Street, NW
Vermont Avenue, NW, from H Street to I Street, NW
G Street, NW, from 17^th Street to 23^rd Street, NW
F Street, NW, from 17^th Street to 23^rd Street, NW
E Street, NW from 17^th Street to 23^rd Street, NW

During the press conference, Mayor Bowser was joined by:

the Metropolitan Police Department;
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services;
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency;
DC Office of Human Rights;
the Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs; and
the United States Park Police.

###