"I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with…

From Mayor Bowsers Office:

Mayor Bowser is continuing preparations for this weeks First Amendment activities. She had previously directed the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) to stand up the Districts Emergency Operations Center (EOC) beginning Monday, January 4, to coordinate the response for the upcoming First Amendment demonstrations, permitted by the National Park Service, scheduled for January 5 and January 6. The EOC serves as the coordination hub between District agencies and regional and federal partners. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) begins its full activation with all staff reporting for response on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mayor Bowser instructed District agencies to create a comprehensive public safety response to ensure residents safety. Additionally, HSEMA and MPD are conducting event overviews for the Council of the District of Columbia, faith leaders, and the downtown business community. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity by making a report through iwatchdc.org or by calling 911 for immediate threats or emergencies.

MPD and HSEMA are coordinating among District agencies and with federal authorities to ensure our residents and businesses remain safe, said Mayor Muriel Bowser. I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation, and we will do what we must to ensure all who attend remain peaceful.

Members of the public and anyone attending the events are reminded that District law prohibits anyone from carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of any First Amendment activity. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess firearms on the U.S. Capitol grounds and on National Park Service areas, such as Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, and the National Mall. Additionally, members of the public are reminded that the District of Columbia does not have reciprocity with other states concealed pistol licenses; unless a person has been issued a concealed pistol license by the District of Columbia, they cannot conceal carry a firearm in the city. Finally, it is illegal to open carry firearms in the District.

From MPD:

multiple First Amendment demonstrations are expected to occur in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with these demonstrations, there will be parking restriction and potential street closures that motorists should take into consideration:

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. to Thursday, January 7, 2021 11:59 p.m:

H Street from 15th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWI Street from 15th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWConnecticut Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NWVermont Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW15th Street from I Street to K Street, NW (west side of McPherson Square)17th Street from I Street to K Street, NW (east side of Farragut Square)

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking for Tuesday, January 5, 2021 and Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m:

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 18th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street, NW to 18th Street, NW

E Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

F Street from 12th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

G Street from 12th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

I Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NWI Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWH Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NWH Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWK Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWNew York Avenue from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW

(west side of Farragut Square)

15th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW

(east side of McPherson Square)

16th Street from K Street, NW to O Street, NW14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to E Street, NW10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to E Street, NW6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW3rd Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NWNew York Avenue from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWC Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWD Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWMadison Drive from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NWJefferson Drive from 3rd Street, SW to 15th Street, SW

Street Closures

On Tuesday, January 5, 2021 and Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the following streets will be restricted to vehicular traffic from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The decision to restrict vehicles will be based upon public safety and if safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to-and-from their residence.

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 18th Street, NWK Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWI Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWH Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWNew York Avenue from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NWNew York Avenue from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWG Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

G Street from 12th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

G Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWF Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

F Street from 12th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW

F Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWE Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NWE Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWD Street from 5th Street, NW to 9th Street, NWD Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWC Street from 3rd Street, NW to 6th Street, NWC Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue, NW from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue, NW from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NWIndiana Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street, NW3rd Street from Independence Avenue, SW to D Street, NW4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW4th Street from Indiana Avenue, NW to E Street, NW5th Street from Indiana Avenue, NW to E Street, NW6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to E Street, NW9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW16th Street from H Street, NW to L Street, NWVermont Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NWConnecticut Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NWMadison Drive from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NWJefferson Drive from 3rd Street, SW to 15th Street, SW12th Street Tunnel9th Street Tunnel

While the Metropolitan Police Department does not anticipate additional street closures on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, there is the potential for intermittent closures in the downtown area. Additionally, while the Metropolitan Police Department does not anticipate street closures on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 or Thursday, January 7, 2021, there is the potential for intermittent closures in the downtown area. Any decision to close a street will be based upon public safety. For timely traffic information, please visit: twitter.com/DCPoliceTraffic,

The public should expect parking restrictions along the street and should be guided by the posted emergency no parking signage. All vehicles that are parked in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed.

Motorists could encounter possible delays if operating in the vicinity of downtown area 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.

Members of the public are reminded that DC CODE: 7-2509.07 expressly prohibits anyone from carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of any First Amendment activity, to include members of the public who have been issued a Concealed Carry Permit in the District of Columbia.

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"I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with...