“Police have blocked off all traffic, including pedestrians, on H street from 17th to Vermont.”

Thanks to Kate for sending: “Police have blocked off all traffic, including pedestrians, on H street from 17th to Vermont. I’m thinking it’s to protect all of the artwork on the fence surrounding Lafayette Square. Could definitely be for something else though.”

From MPD:

“TRAFFIC ADVISORY: First Amendment Activity

From Friday, December 11, 2020 through Sunday, December 13, 2020, multiple First Amendment demonstrations are scheduled to occur in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with these demonstrations, there will be parking restriction and potential street closures that motorists should take into consideration:

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Thursday, December 11, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday, December 13, 2020 11:59 p.m:

H Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
I Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Connecticut Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW
Vermont Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW
15th Street from I Street to K Street, NW (west side of McPherson Square)
17th Street from I Street to K Street, NW (east side of Franklin Square)

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking for Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m:

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 23rd Street, NW
Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
I Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
I Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
H Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
H Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
K Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
New York Avenue from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW

(west side of Farragut Square)

15th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW

(east side of McPherson Square)

16th Street from K Street to O Street
14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW
13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
11th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to E Street, NW
6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
3rd Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
New York Avenue from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW
C Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW
D Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW
Madison Drive from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
Jefferson Drive from 3rd Street, SW to 15th Street, SW

Street Closures

On Saturday, December 12, 2020, the following streets will be restricted to vehicular traffic from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The decision to restrict vehicles will be based upon public safety and if safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to-and-from their residence.

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 23rd Street, NW
Independence Avenue, SW from 14th Street to Ohio Drive, SW
K Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
I Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
H Street from 9th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
New York Avenue from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
New York Avenue from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
G Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
G Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
F Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
F Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
E Street from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
E Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
D Street from 5th Street, NW to 9th Street, NW
D Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
C Street from 3rd Street, NW to 6th Street, NW
C Street from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
Indiana Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street, NW
3rd Street from Independence Avenue, SW to D Street, NW
4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
4th Street from Indiana Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
5th Street from Indiana Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to E Street, NW
9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW
11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW
13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to L Street, NW
14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW
15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW
16th Street from H Street, NW to L Street, NW
Vermont Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW
Connecticut Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NW
17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW
Madison Street from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NW
Jefferson Street from 3rd Street, SW to 15th Street, SW
12th Street Tunnel
9th Street Tunnel

While the Metropolitan Police Department does not anticipate street closures on Friday, December 11, 2020 or Sunday, December 13, 2020, there is the potential for intermittent closures in the downtown area. Any decision to close a street will be based upon public safety. For timely traffic information, please visit twitter.com/DCPoliceTraffic,

The public should expect parking restrictions along the street and should be guided by the posted emergency no parking signage. All vehicles that are parked in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed.

Motorists could encounter possible delays if operating in the vicinity of downtown area and may wish to consider alternative routes. The Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Transportation also wishes to remind motorists in the vicinity of this event to proceed with caution as increased pedestrian traffic can be anticipated.”