10/17: New National Park regulations would limit protests — here's what's at stake. The National Park Service is considering new rules that would significantly limit protests in the nation's capital.
With the end of the public comments period on Monday, now the NPS is tasked with determining how to move forward with its policies. Here’s what the the agency must consider: First, lets be clear what’s at stake here. Free speech is the core of our democratic values. Protest, with its public engagement, is a critical element. What would these regulations actually do? The NPS wants demonstrators to get government permission to have their protests by requiring permits ahead of time. Additionally, NPS is considering making demonstrators pay for these permits as well as other fees that they decide to tack on. Finally, the park service has also proposed to close off most of the White House sidewalk to protests, drastically limiting a key forum for public expression.
Moreover, that document describes the resource and values of the parks as: “Stage of Democracy. US Federal Register: Natl. Park System-Capital Region-Special Regs for Events & Demonstrations. Start PreambleStart Printed Page 40460 National Park Service, Interior.
Proposed rule. The National Park Service proposes to revise special regulations related to demonstrations and special events at certain national park units in the National Capital Region. The proposed changes would modify regulations explaining how the NPS processes permit applications for demonstrations and special events. The rule would also identify locations where activities are allowed, not allowed, or allowed but subject to restrictions. Comments must be received by October 15, 2018. You may submit comments, identified by the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1024-AE45 by any of the following methods: 2018-17386. Untitled. Get Off My Lawn! October 16, 2018 by David Bookbinder Yesterday the Niskanen Center submitted a comment letter on the National Park Service’s proposed changes to the rules governing demonstrations and protests in Washington, D.C.
Remarkably, the proposed changes read like they were drafted by minions of Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, or Vladimir Putin. Our letter, which was co-signed by 35 prominent individuals and 8 organizations, focuses on just three of the more galling proposed rule changes: requiring all demonstrations to get permits, making demonstrators pay for these permits, and closing the White House sidewalk to protesters. Here’s a thought experiment: imagine asking Ben Franklin, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or any other signer of the Declaration of Independence whether they thought it would be a good idea to necessitate the King’s permission (and pay for the privilege of doing so), before they could protest the Stamp Act or the Townshend Duties. 10/15/18 Letter from 43 US individuals & organizations deeply concerned about NPS's "profoundly anti-democratic & flagrantly unconstitutional" proposed regs.
Another 10/15/18 letter from 87 US organizations to NPS opposing protest fees on National Mall. National Mall and Memorial Parks. National Mall and Memorial Parks. National Mall and Memorial Parks National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA) is responsible for more than 1,000 acres of parkland containing many of the United States’ more significant natural and cultural resources.
The sites of NAMA are cherished symbols of our nation, known worldwide and depicted on everything from currency to the nightly news. Located in the core of the Nation’s Capital, NAMA administers, interprets, maintains, and preserves the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, D.C. War Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, George Mason Memorial, Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, the National Mall, East and West Potomac Parks, Constitution Gardens, 60 statues, and numerous other historic sites, memorials, and parklands.
NAMA’s origins are as old as the capital city itself. NAMA Website as of 20/18/2018. 4/21/17: White House Sidewalk Permanently Closed For Security Reasons. A strip of pavement in front of the White House has been permanently blocked off from the public after numerous security breaches/jumpers cleared the fence at that spot.
Previously, the south fence of the White House had only been blocked off from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., but security concerns have necessitated its permanent closure. The U.S. Secret Service said it would end public access to a sidewalk along the south fence of the White House beginning on Wednesday night. The sidewalk has been closed nightly from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. since 2015 and will now be off-limits around the clock, the Secret Service said in a statement. The closure will "lessen the possibility of individuals illegally accessing the White House grounds," Secret Service Communications Director Cathy Milhoan said. Now, people looking to view the south fence will be forced to stand about 80 feet further away than before.