ROAD CLOSURES: What you need to know about Mother of All Rallies, Juggalo March, Race to Beat Cancer
WASHINGTON - It's going to a crowded weekend in the nation's capital as major events will be taking place on the National Mall.
MOTHER OF ALL RALLIES
The Mother of All Rallies will kick off on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at the Washington Monument. The group behind this rally describes itself as pro-Trump and is aiming "to peacefully unite in honor of America." The event's website says confederate, communist or foreign flags will not be welcome at the rally and the festivities will last until 7 p.m. (Click here for a list of speakers and performers)
JUGGALO MARCH ON WASHINGTON
Meanwhile, starting at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial, the Juggalo March on Washington will run until 10 p.m. with free musical performances and speeches. (More details on the schedule of the Juggalo March)
The Juggalos are a group of fans of the music group Insane Clown Posse. Known for their black and white face paint, the FBI has called the Juggalos a "loosely-organized hybrid gang."
According to its website, the organizers of this event want this march to show that "we are not a gang, public menace, cult, or any of the other untrue labels they have attempted to slap on us throughout the years. We must collectively show them that we truly are a family that is united by a shared love of music and fellowship. We help and support each other like no other so-called 'fanbase' ever has in the history of popular culture."
RACE TO BEAT CANCER 5K
Another event being held on Saturday is the 37th annual Race to Beat Cancer 5K. The race will start and end at the Four Seasons Hotel. All proceeds from this race is being used to benefit cancer research at the Washington Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Schedule:
7 a.m: Registration Opens
7:45 a.m.: Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC Welcome
8 a.m.: Race Starts
8:30 a.m.: Breakfast Opens
8:45 a.m.: MedStar Washington Hospital Center Thank You
9 a.m.: Awards & Door Prizes
10 a.m. Event Ends
Strollers, wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome on the 5K course. Participants are also welcome to carry water bottles, food, and personal items with them along the course. A bag check will be provided. Race to Beat Cancer 5K is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, located on the blue and orange lines, is a short 15-minute walk from Georgetown. The Rosslyn, Virginia station, located on the blue and orange lines, is a short walk across the Key Bridge to Georgetown. Metro riders can also access Georgetown via the DC Circulator bus from the Rosslyn and Dupont Circle Metro stations.
MARCH TO PROTECT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an anti-Trump rally is set to take place at Lafayette Square near the White House.
According to the event's website:
"Russia's interference in the 2016 election was a direct attack on American democracy. We demand our government protect future elections by punishing Russia's actions and refusing to coordinate with foreign powers in the future.
"Deliver that message to the White House and tell the Russians that they will not tread on us."
HEIGHTENED SECURITY
However, there is concern that participants from these rallies will clash and D.C. police are taking extra precaution to step in if needed.
"Most of the events are happening on Park Police territory," D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told FOX 5. "They are going to have their staffing out there and we are going to have the entire police department working to assist them."
The police chief added, "If you come here with the intent of breaking the law, we are going to safely and respectfully take you into custody."
ROAD CLOSURES
Those traveling in the District on Saturday will encounter several road closures due to these events.
The following streets will be closed from 6 am to approximately 11 pm:
- Constitution Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
- C Street NW, from 18th Street to 17th Street NW.
- D Street NW, from 18th Street to 17th Street NW.
- E Street NW, from 18th Street to 17th Street NW.
- 17th Street NW, from New York Avenue, NW, to Independence Avenue, NW.
- 15th Street NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Independence Avenue, SW.
- 14th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW.
- 12th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania NW, to Constitution Avenue, NW.
- 10th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Constitution Avenue, NW.
- 9th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Constitution Avenue, NW.
- 7th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Independence Avenue, SW.
- 6th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Constitution Avenue, NW.
- 4th Street, NW, from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Independence Avenue, SW.
- Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW.
- Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW.
The 3rd Street tunnel will remain open.
All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions. Motorists could encounter possible delays if operating in the vicinity of this event and may wish to consider alternative routes. The Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Transportation also wishes to remind motorists in the vicinity of this event to proceed with caution as increased pedestrian traffic can be anticipated.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
With several road closures in effect, Metro is highly recommended to get you closest to the area of the Mother of All Rallies and the Juggalo March. The nearest Metro stop to get off at will be the Smithsonian station, but if you don't mind a longer walk, getting off at other nearby stations in downtown such as Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom, L'Enfant Plaza, Archives/Navy Memorial or Metro Center may help you avoid possible overcrowding at the Smithsonian station.
There will be some weekend service adjustments this weekend on Metro for scheduled maintenance:
- Red Line trains operate regular weekend service
- Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green line trains operate every 15 minutes
- Orange Line trains operate every 20 minutes
For more Metro information, go to https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/weekend.cfm
Another way to get around the National Mall is hopping on DC Circulator buses. For more information, go to http://nationalmall.dccirculator.com/
National Park Service - Plan Your Visit: https://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/directions.htm