The University has directed only “essential on-site staff” to work in person on Friday and limited the campus to local traffic as the District prepares for the United States Army parade on Saturday, according to a Wednesday advisory.
The stretches of 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd streets that run through campus will be only open to local traffic from Friday to 6 a.m. on Monday, and any staff not deemed “essential” are directed to work remotely if possible. The parade is set for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and is scheduled to take place between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., running from 23rd Street NW along Constitution Avenue to 15th Street NW.
About 150 ground vehicles, 6,600 soldiers and 50 aircraft will appear in the parade, and officials have said they are preparing for “hundreds of thousands” to attend, according to the Washington Post.
Classes will operate as normal and on-campus events like tours will take place as scheduled, according to the advisory. The GW Medical Faculty Associates and GW Hospital will also be open and operate as normal. The advisory directs community members to the Metropolitan Police Department’s website to see a full list of road closures around the District.
The University said last week in an advisory that there are no “specific” threats to GW or other District institutions and the University is in “close coordination” with local and federal partners. The advisory said that “First Amendment activities” are expected “throughout” D.C. on Saturday.
Organizers with the “No Kings” movement — which is expected to host rallies in over 200 cities Saturday protesting the Trump administration’s policies — are not hosting a rally in D.C. They wrote on their website they don’t want the “birthday parade” to be the “center of gravity.”
Security officials and the U.S. Secret Service told reporters during a briefing Monday they are tracking nine planned protests in D.C. on Saturday.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that any protesters would be met with “very heavy force” and did not draw a distinction between peaceful and violent protests. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that Trump has no issue with peaceful protests.
Critics have accused Trump of using the military as a de-facto birthday celebration for him, while administration officials including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll have said the parade will be an “incredible opportunity” to help with recruiting and retention.
