Shortly earlier than WorldPride festivities kicked off in D.C. on Saturday, Dupont Circle Park reopened, and all fencing surrounding it was eliminated, ending a weeklong saga that featured flip-flopping by District officers and backlash from group members.
Shortly earlier than WorldPride festivities kicked off in D.C. on Saturday, Dupont Circle Park reopened, and all fencing surrounding it was eliminated, ending a weeklong saga that featured flip-flopping by District officers and backlash from group members.
In a joint assertion to WTOP, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Nationwide Park Service mentioned that either side got here collectively in a single day on an answer that “protects the historic options of this park” whereas making certain security for WorldPride company. No specifics had been supplied.
“We would like this weekend to be a secure and enjoyable celebration in our nation’s capital – and one that features among the finest parks and group areas in our metropolis, Dupont Circle,” the assertion mentioned. “We look ahead to working collectively on future initiatives that preserve DC secure and exquisite.”
Mike Litterst, spokesman for the Nationwide Park Service, applauded the transfer.
“We’re happy that the Mayor’s workplace and the Nationwide Park Service may work collectively in a single day on an answer that protects the historic options of this park whereas additionally making certain the protection of all who get pleasure from it,” Litterst mentioned.
Dupont Circle Park was set to be closed till 6 p.m. Sunday. The closure went into impact Thursday night on the request of the U.S. Park Police, who known as it essential to “safe the park, deter potential violence, cut back the danger of harmful acts and reduce the necessity for intensive legislation enforcement presences.’”
Legislation enforcement officers added fencing across the park on Friday.
Then, hours earlier than WorldPride festivities had been set to start, D.C. Council member Zachary Parker mentioned a message posted on X Saturday morning that the fencing surrounding the park had been taken down.
“It is a win for all of us — particularly for the LGBTQ+ group — and a strong reminder of what talking fact to energy can accomplish,” Parker mentioned.
Park Police submitted its closure request on Wednesday, in the future after D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith rescinded her preliminary April 22 name for the park to be totally closed and cordoned off with anti-scale fencing by means of Monday.
Smith pulled her request after backlash from community members and politicians.
Vincent Slatt, a neighborhood advisory commissioner who represents a part of the Dupont Circle neighborhood, noticed crews take down the fencing early Saturday morning.
“I agree with the chief that public security is paramount to what we are attempting to do in Dupont, and we’re nonetheless in settlement on that,” Slatt instructed WTOP. “It doesn’t want anti-scalable, riot-proof fencing to be secure.”
This story is creating. Stick with WTOP for the most recent.
WTOP’s Gaby Arancibia additionally contributed to this report.
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