DC mayor outlines city’s preparations for anti-gun violence march

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Tuesday rolled out the District’s plans for the upcoming “March for Our Lives,” unveiling a sweeping set of preparations, including Metro closures and restricted access to President Trump’s D.C. hotel.

The preparations come as thousands of protesters on Saturday are expected to descend on the nation’s capital and other cities across the country, seeking to draw attention to gun violence and call for new firearm restrictions.

“We’re going to have thousands of visitors in our city on Saturday and many of these visitors are going to be young people,” Bowser said Tuesday. “Our number one priority is keeping every person in our city safe.”

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D.C. residents and visitors can expect the Federal Triangle Metro station to be closed for the duration of the march, as well as limited access to the Judiciary Square station.

Washingtonians will also be hit by street closures during the march, including sections of the centrally located Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues.

D.C. police Chief Peter Newsham said to plan for “extended travel time” due to the influx of people into Washington.

“We encourage visitors and participants to utilize one of the many public transportation options available but also plan for an extended travel time due to the crowd size and closures,” he said.

Authorities will also restrict access to Trump International Hotel, the president’s namesake D.C. property, with visitors being barred from its Pennsylvania Avenue entrance. They will instead have to use the 12th Street entrance.

The “March for Our Lives” was organized following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last month that left 17 people dead and 14 others injured.

The attack reignited the national debate over gun control, with students emerging as some of the most vocal advocates for strengthening restrictions on firearms.

The event’s organizers expect as many as 500,000 people to attend the march.

March for Our Lives street closures by kballuck1 on Scribd