Federal Government

“Norton to Introduce Bill to Prohibit Permanent Fencing at Lafayette Square” in front of the White House

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“After reading recent reporting indicating that the Trump Administration plans to install permanent fencing around Lafayette Square, the public park in front of the White House, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced her intention to introduce a bill to prohibit permanent fencing at the park.

“Lafayette Square belongs to the people, not to the president. This bill is about keeping faith in the idea that democracy works best in the open, where the First Amendment protects citizens’ rights to assemble, speak, and be seen and heard by their government,” Norton said. “While I understand the importance of protecting the White House, it’s already surrounded by a 13-foot-high fence. We can and must maintain our commitment to security without sacrificing public access by using the least restrictive means necessary to address security concerns. Just as I oppose permanent fencing at the Capitol and the Supreme Court, I oppose turning Lafayette Square into another restricted zone separated from the public by intimidating barriers. (more…)

About the “Amtrak Trip Alert | Special Event Washington, DC Union Station” – Trump Speaking at National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) annual fundraising dinner

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Jordan Barab

From the White House Press Pool: “7:20 PM EDT THE PRESIDENT delivers Remarks at the NRCC Annual Fundraising Dinner
📍 Union Station”

C-Span will air the event at 7pm tonight – “President Trump gives remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) annual fundraising dinner.”

Thanks to N. for passing on the alert from Amtrak:

“Due to a special event at Washington Union Station, station access and services will be adjusted on Wednesday, March 25th. Beginning at 9am, all vehicle access, including ADA transport vehicles, will be restricted and unable to access the main station entrance. All pick-ups and drop-offs must occur on local streets surrounding the station and customers should anticipate heavy traffic and the need to travel from surrounding areas to access the station.

Customers being dropped off or needing assistance getting into the station should consider being dropped off at a Metro Station and taking the Red Line to Union Station or modifying your reservation to depart from nearby Amtrak stations like Alexandria, VA, New Carrollton, MD, or Baltimore, BWI Airport. 

Additionally: (more…)

Signs of the Times: Streeet and “The arrow isn’t even pointing in the right direction.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by M.V. Jantzen

Thanks to M.V. Jantzen for sending this “misspelled NPS sign at the Lincoln Memorial, on the southeast area of the circle. Seriously, how does this happen?

And what’s crazy is I’m pretty sure they’re trying to point to the MLK restroom/shop. The arrow isn’t even pointing in the right direction. (more…)

Update: “Happening Monday. The latest on the 15th Street bike lanes on the Mall”

By Prince Of Petworth


via WABA

Update. “Happening Monday. No announcement will be made.”

“Dear PoPville,

The latest on the 15th Street bike lanes on the Mall (starting at Constitution going south. Not sure if it will be to and all the way around the Tidal Basin): a volunteer monitor spotted and spoke with a surveyor out on 15th Street and they verbally confirmed they are preparing to remove the bike lane. The removal effort timing is unknown.” (more…)

Reaction to House Committee Passage of Bill to Repeal Local D.C. Traffic Laws – “will inevitably lead to more speeding, more dangerous driving, and more serious injuries on our roads.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“After the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (COGR) marked up and passed a bill introduced by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) to repeal two D.C. traffic laws, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) highlighted the hypocrisy of Rep. Perry’s five year long quest to end D.C.’s use of the same traffic safety measures his home state uses extensively and vowed to fight to prevent the bill from advancing further.

“Today the Oversight Committee, for the third time this Congress, advanced a paternalistic, undemocratic, and frankly petty bill to overturn two traffic safety laws enacted by D.C.,” Norton said. “The hypocrisy behind this legislation is astounding. The bill’s sponsor represents a district in Pennsylvania, a state that uses automated traffic enforcement extensively to improve roadway safety for its own residents. Yet he has spent years attempting to deny the District the same tool his own constituents benefit from.

“D.C.’s elected officials enacted these measures to protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in our city. If D.C. residents disagree with those decisions, they can vote their local leaders out of office. That is how democracy works. What is undemocratic is members of Congress from distant states repeatedly trying to override local D.C. laws.

“Congress should focus on the many pressing challenges facing the nation, not continue this pattern of unnecessary and unjustified interference in the District’s local affairs. I’ll work to stop this bill from advancing further.”

From DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson: (more…)

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