Frederick Douglass Bridge standoff enters Day 3 prompting traffic warnings
Standoff continues on Frederick Douglass Bridge
An activist has remained perched on Frederick Douglass Bridge as the standoff enters Day 3. He says he will remain until the war with Iran is over.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Drivers are being urged to plan for extra travel time, or find alternate routes as a barricade situation on the Frederick Douglass Bridge enters its third day.
What we know:
An activist, identified as Guido Reichstadter, remains perched high above South Capitol Street atop one of the bridge’s iconic arches Sunday morning.
New footage reveals that Reichstadter successfully spent his second night camped inside a tent on the structure.
Dig deeper:
Reichstadter says he intends to remain on the bridge until his demands are met, including an end to the war in Iran and a global ban on artificial intelligence.
Person on Frederick Douglass Bridge, bridge close as police respond
Police are responding to an active barricade situation on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, where a person has climbed onto the structure, according to authorities.
Why you should care:
While authorities have managed to reopen most of the traffic lanes on the bridge, the situation remains a highly active scene. Crisis negotiators and specialized rescue crews remain on standby below the arch.
Commuters should expect ongoing disruptions. Lane restrictions will remain in place, and officials are warning drivers to anticipate significant delays during Monday morning’s rush hour.
The backstory:
This is not the Reichstadter's first high-altitude demonstration.
In 2022, the Florida native scaled the Frederick Douglass Bridge to protest the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He was on the bridge for over 24 hours before being taken into custody by MPD.