White nationalist rally and counterprotests to force major street closures this weekend

Several blocks around the White House will be closed to traffic for much of Sunday as law enforcement monitors the Unite the Right white nationalist rally and counterdemonstrations planned for the one-year anniversary of the events in Charlottesville, Virginia that killed one woman and seriously injured several others.

From 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 12, D.C. police say they are enforcing the following street closures in the interest of public safety:

• 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

Metropolitan Police Department

The white nationalist rally is set to take place in Lafayette Park across from the White House and is being organized by the same leaders who put together the rally in Charlottesville last year. A number of counterprotests are being planned across downtown by various activists.

D.C. police are coordinating security with other D.C. agencies and the federal government, including the U.S. Park Police. “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,” D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham says in a statement on Thursday.

D.C. police also say there will be parking restrictions concurrent with the street closures. “All vehicles that are parked along the route and in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed,” a release warns. It adds that drivers should expect delays in the area and may want to consider alternative routes.

Metro is also advising riders that trains could be crowded and delayed because of the demonstrations and planned track work on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

• One year after Charlottesville, the alt-right is gathering again — in Washington [Vox]
• The alt-right is coming to Washington, DC. Here’s how anti-racist groups are preparing. [Vox]
• Here’s Where The Counterprotests To ‘Unite The Right 2’ Are Happening [DCist]
• Counter-protesters, Clergy, and City Officials Prepare for White Nationalist Rally in D.C. [Washington City Paper]
• Metro: No ‘special train’ for white nationalists during upcoming Unite the Right rally [Curbed DC]