We continue to try to make sense of what is going on in D.C. by photographing it – but it is such an odd combination of the National Guard presence and ordinary life continuing as usual.
For example, in walking around the Mall and monuments last weekend, we saw both clusters of National Guard and people enjoying the great weather, in close proximity to each other.
We Are All DC march
On September 6th, there was the first large protest organized against the Federal occupation of D.C. Thousands walked from Malcolm X Park to the White House.
The Peace Vigil
The Peace Vigil has existed across the street from the White House since 1981. Last weekend, Brian Glenn (Marjorie Taylor Greene’s boyfriend) encouraged Trump to have it removed. Trump was unaware of the Peace Vigil, but instantly gave the command to remove it.
The Peace Vigil has been such a long-existing Washington institution that its removal shocked both local and national media. We revisited the vigil two days ago, and it has been “removed” (i.e. the tent has been taken away) but the signs and spirit of the vigil are still there.
To find out more about the Peace Vigil and its history, see our previous article about it.
Pennsylvania Avenue closure
Pennsylvania Avenue between 15th and 17th Street (by the White House) is heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists and tourists. But now, a tent and fencing has gone up – because of the building of a ballroom at the White House – which will prevent access to part of the road for the next three years.
Trump dines out
On Tuesday night, Trump made his first trip out to a D.C. restaurant, in an attempt to demonstrate how his actions have made D.C. “safe”. The restaurant is just a block from the White House, so it is not a test case for any change in safety.
Art Ave
Art Ave is a new public art exhibit featuring 13 large sculptures in the area around Farragut Square, just a couple of blocks from the White House.
We went to the opening of the exhibit on Wednesday – it was drizzling and there weren’t many people there, but we counted five police officers in the quiet square – they were all friendly but it definitely seemed unnecessary (and was the last day of Trump’s 30-day takeover of control of the local police).
Waterfront Sessions
Waterfront Sessions is an informal dance event along the Georgetown waterfront. We went last weekend (it will also be on future Friday nights).
An antidote in nature
When you need a respite, either Constitution Gardens or Rock Creek Park is nearby. Here’s what we saw a few days ago:
And more and more large D.C. flags can be seen everywhere, as D.C. residents show their desire for D.C. to be independent of Federal incursion.
