Latest news with #ArmyBirthday
Washington Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What to know about the Army parade in D.C. on Saturday, Trump's birthday
The event will bring street closures, security checkpoints, hundreds of military vehicles and thousands of marching troops. Thousands of marching soldiers. Dozens of helicopters flying overhead. Hundreds of military vehicles, including 28 tanks. These will all parade through the heart of D.C. for a celebration honoring the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army on Saturday — also, President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement It is expected to be the largest parade in the nation's capital since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 and will be part of a day-long extravaganza on the National Mall that will include musical performances, parachutists and fireworks. There will be street closures, heightened security and protests, too. Here's what you need to know. WHAT TO KNOW What is the schedule of events? Activities are planned throughout Saturday. Here's a breakdown. 8:15 a.m. Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia; open to the public and live-streamed. 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fitness competition on the National Mall. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall, including military demonstrations, equipment displays, live music and food trucks. 6:30 p.m. The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue NW, beginning at 23rd Street near the Lincoln Memorial and finishing about a mile down the road, at 15th Street near the Washington Monument. The parade involves thousands of soldiers in historic and modern uniforms, dozens of Army vehicles including Abrams tanks, a flyover and a parachute jump. 9:45 p.m. Fireworks on the National Mall. What military equipment will be in the parade? According to the Pentagon, about 150 ground vehicles, 6,600 soldiers and 50 aircraft will appear in the parade, grouped to represent each major era of the Army's history. What streets are blocked off to traffic? Roads will be closed to vehicles roughly between 7th Street NW and the Potomac and from E Street down to Independence Avenue. That includes the entire area encompassing Lafayette Square, the White House, the Ellipse, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and West Potomac Park. The 12th Street Expressway and the Constitution Avenue entrance to the 9th Street Expressway are covered by the closures. A broader swath of downtown will be limited by police to drivers who need to get to a location in the area: south of E Street to 4th Street NW on the east side of the White House, and south of H Street until 23rd Street on the west side. While the Jefferson Memorial and Hains Point are open to pedestrians from the D.C. side, the roads there are blocked off. Access to Virginia around and over the Arlington Memorial Bridge will be blocked. Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue is closed, and on the other side of the bridge the George Washington Memorial Parkway is closed in both directions between I-395 and Arlington Boulevard. (Unrelated construction will also require detours on the parkway farther north at Route 123.) Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Other roads between D.C. and Virginia are open, but exits around the Mall are closed. See the full list of street closures and parking restrictions affecting D.C. and Northern Virginia here. Closures apply to parking, too. Boats and paddleboards will not be allowed between the 14th Street Bridge and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, including in the Tidal Basin. How will Metro and buses be affected? The Smithsonian station entrance on the Mall will be closed, but otherwise Metro is running as normal. Buses that travel through the blocked-off areas of downtown D.C. and Northern Virginia — 3F, 3Y, 11Y, 16E, 31, 32, 36, 42, 43, 52, 59, 63, 64, 70, 74, 79, N2, N4, P6, S2 — will face detours and delays from 11 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Monday. Will local airports be impacted? Flights in and out of Reagan National Airport will be halted for the military flyovers between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The airport will be open, but flights in and out — about 65 arrivals and 35 departures — will be delayed for an average of about three hours, until after the event. Will there be security checkpoints for pedestrians? Yes. To attend the morning festival, evening parade or both, you must enter through designated screening checkpoints. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement The checkpoint to enter the festival opens to the public at 8 a.m. It is on the east side of the National Mall at 7th Street NW, between Madison Avenue NW and Jefferson Drive SW. There are two checkpoints to enter the viewing area for the parade that open to the public at 2 p.m. These checkpoints are at 14th Street NW between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW, and at C Street NW between 18th Street and 19th Street NW. Expect to encounter a robust security perimeter that includes 18.5 miles of steel fencing and 175 metal detectors. Pedestrians not planning to attend will be able to access the Mall, but the White House and parkland to its west will require going through security. The Mount Vernon Trail will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists between the 14th Street Bridge and the Memorial Bridge, and the path along Rock Creek Parkway will be also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists below C Street NW. Where can I watch the parade? After entering through the parade checkpoint, spectators will be able to stand along the parade route on Constitution Avenue NW. The event is standing room only: no bleachers or seating available, according to the Secret Service. Most people viewing the parade will be directed to the south side of Constitution Avenue NW, though some space will be available on the north side of the street. Officials say the space can accommodate 'hundreds of thousands' of people. Those who exit the parade viewing area will need to go through a checkpoint again before reentering. Are any items prohibited from the area? Yes, many items are banned from both the festival and the parade grounds. Among the prohibited items: umbrellas with metal tips (those without metal tips will be permitted); balloons; folding chairs; bags larger than 18 x 13 x 7 inches; signs larger than 20 inches x 3 feet x 1/4 inch; and glass, thermal or metal containers. View the full list of prohibited items here. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement How crowded will the city be? Officials have said they are preparing for 'hundreds of thousands' of people to attend Saturday's events, but they have not responded to requests about what that number is based on. What's the weather forecast? According to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, a slow-moving front approaching D.C. from the north could trigger heavy showers and storms, including lightning. The potential showers are most probable in the late afternoon and evening, though it is likely the morning and early afternoon will be mostly dry. As for the temperature, forecast models project highs in the low 80s and near 90, depending on cloud cover. Confidence is high that it will be humid, which will make it feel several degrees hotter; hydration will be key for those planning to spend long hours outdoors. Are animals allowed? Because of the large crowds, noise and the weather forecast, Secret Service officials are asking people to leave pets and emotional support animals at home for their safety. Service animals are welcome. Could the tanks damage D.C.'s roads? Possibly. District leaders have expressed concern about potential damage to city roads, though the Army has said it would pay for any repairs. Security officials said at a recent briefing that they expect to execute the parade with 'little to no damage' to the city's streets because of safety precautions that include metal plating on areas where tanks have to steer sharply and matting where vehicles are staged. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Tanks that will be used during the parade have been fitted with rubber trackpads that will lessen impact to the roads, said Col. Jesse Curry, a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Curry said Army engineers worked with National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration officials to assess the impact of tanks and other vehicles on the roads and come up with a plan to protect them. 'Throughout the straightaways, we really have very little or no concerns that there would be any other damage,' he said. 'The plates, where we're putting them, are designed to minimize or eliminate all possible damage.' Are there protests planned? More than 1,600 rallies are planned across all 50 states as part of the No Kings movement organized by a coalition of organizations calling for a 'nationwide day of defiance.' A full list of locations can be found on their website. There are No Kings events in Virginia and Maryland, but not in D.C. The flagship march and rally will be in Philadelphia, with organizers aiming to 'draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington.' Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Within the city, local group Free DC is hosting a 'DC Joy Day' at Anacostia Park, Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. celebrating the city's 'people, culture, and our connections to one another,' according to their website. Organizers say there will be face painting, line dancing, lawn games and free food on the grill for the first 500 people. There will be a free shuttle from Anacostia Metro to Anacostia Park Field 7, every 30 minutes between 3 and 8 p.m., and DC Queer Bikes and Hill Family Biking will meet at Nationals Park at 2 p.m. for a group bike ride to the event. Trump said Tuesday that protesters who assembled during a military parade would be met with 'very big force.'
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
What to know about 'No Kings' protests against Trump's policies on Saturday
Opponents of President Donald Trump's administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington for the Army's 250th anniversary — which coincides with Trump's birthday. The 'No Kings' protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on what is also his 79th birthday and Flag Day. The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long sought a similar display of patriotic force. Why is it called No Kings? The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president. 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,' the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. 'They've done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.' Why are they protesting on Saturday? The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a press release from No Kings. It is happening to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event, will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day. 'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,' the No Kings website says. 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' Where are the protests? Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, according to the No Kings website. No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the parade will be held. The group says it will 'make action everywhere else the story of America that day.' No Kings plans instead to hold a major flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what they describe as the 'costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade' in Washington, according to the No Kings website. What is planned at the No Kings protests? People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday. On the group's website it says a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with them. Weapons of any kind should not be brought to events, according to the website. How many people are expected to participate? The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump's $45m military parade will see 18 miles of fencing and 175 metal detectors installed in DC
The massive event, which officials estimated to cost a maximum of $45 million, will be held on June 14 to honor the 250th birthday of the Army. It also happens to fall on Trump's 79th birthday. Matt McCool of the Secret Service 's Washington Field office said that more than 18 miles of 'anti-scale fencing' would be installed for the event. 'We're preparing for an enormous turnout,' he said. There will also be'multiple drones' in the air, despite Washington D.C. normally being a no-fly zone for drones. Army officials have estimated around 200,000 attendees for the evening military parade, and McCool said he was prepared for "hundreds of thousands" of people. 'We have a ton of magnetometers,' he said. 'If a million people show up, then we're going to have some lines.' A total of 175 magnetometers would be used at security checkpoints controlling access to the daytime Army birthday festival and the nighttime parade. Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith predicted 'major impacts to traffic' and advised attendees to arrive early and consider forgoing cars for the Metro. 'This is a significant event with a large footprint,' she said. 'We're relying on the public to be an extra set of ears and eyes for us.' The military parade has been designated a National Special Security Event — similar to a presidential inauguration or state funeral. That status is reserved for events that draw large crowds and potential mass protests. It calls for an enhanced degree of high-level coordination among D.C. officials, the FBI, Capitol Police and Washington's National Guard contingent — with the Secret Service taking the lead. The Army birthday celebration had already been planned for months. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to transform the event into a massive military parade complete with 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. Multiple counter-protests of varying sizes are planned for Saturday, with the largest being a mass march to the White House dubbed the No Kings rally. Officials say they are also on alert for signs that the immigration-related clashes between law enforcement and protesters currently roiling Los Angeles would spread. 'We're paying attention, obviously, to what is happening there. We'll be ready,' McCool said. 'We have a robust plan for civil disobedience.' Agent Phillip Bates of the FBI's Washington Field office, which is tasked with counterterrorism and crisis management, said there were 'no credible threats' to the event at the moment. Lindsey Appiah, the deputy mayor for public safety, told The Associated Press last week that the city had longstanding plans for the Army birthday celebration. But those plans 'got a lot bigger on short notice' when Trump got involved. Still, Appiah said the city has grown 'very flexible, very nimble' at rolling with these sort of changes.
Skift
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Skift
Reagan National Airport to Close for Army Parade — Expect Travel Delays
The parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, is expected to shut down Reagan National for several hours. Washington Reagan National Airport is expected to close for several hours on June 14 to accommodate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration, which will include military flyovers, fireworks, and parachute jumps. The closure could disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Thursday that it will issue temporary flight restrictions for the Washington, D.C. area. During the event, the FAA will implement traffic management initiativ
