October 29, 2024 – First Amendment Activity


October 28, 2024

On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, First Amendment activity is expected near the White House on the Ellipse and Washington Monument grounds.  For additional information, please visit the event website.

This event may impact the Foggy Bottom Campus with anticipated road closures and increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

The Flagg Building will remain open. Individuals traveling to the Flagg Building, in particular, should be prepared to show their GWorld and will likely not be able to park in the area surrounding the building due to road closures. GW community members should enter using the New York and E Street entrances.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reports there will be numerous impacts to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, October 29.

In conjunction with this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures motorists should take into consideration:

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.:

  • 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • 15th Street from F Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.:

  • 17th Street from H Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 15th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 15th Street, SW
  • Madison Drive from 14th to 15th Street, NW
  • Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • C Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • D Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • E Street from 17th Street to18th Street, NW
  • F Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • G Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • New York Avenue from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • E Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW
  • Pennsylvania Avenue from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
  • Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW (local hotel traffic only)

For timely traffic information, please visit MPD X (Twitter).

GW’s Office of Emergency Management is collaborating with local and regional public safety organizations to monitor activity in the District and will send email and/or text alerts to the entire GW community if necessary. The latest safety and security information will be posted here on Campus Advisories.

Please see below for safety tips on and off campus:

  • Be aware of the behavior of those around you and report suspicious or threatening behavior immediately to GWPD at 202-994-6111 or the Metropolitan Police Department through 911.
  • Do not engage with individuals seeking a confrontation.
  • If there is a disturbance, seek shelter indoors until normal conditions return.
  • Observe directions from law enforcement personnel.
  • Make sure doors close and lock behind you as you arrive and depart.
  • Do not allow strangers into GW buildings.
  • Carry identification and your G-World card at all times.

If large crowds start to gather and you choose to exercise your First Amendment rights, we urge you to follow these tips:

  • Be aware of the behavior of those around you and report suspicious behavior.
  • Monitor traffic reports, weather reports, and emergency notifications.
  • Share your plan with someone outside your group.
  • Stay with your group. Have a predetermined plan on where to meet if you get separated.
  • Have a secondary communication plan in case cell phone signals are limited.
  • View the guide to Free Expression at GW.

For additional safety and security resources, visit the Safety website or download the GW Guardian app. Additional emergency management information from the District of Columbia is also available online.

All GW community members are automatically signed up to receive GW emergency email alerts. You can manage your GW Alert account to also receive GW text alerts on your mobile device. In addition to adding your mobile number, you can add up to three email addresses and phone numbers so that friends or family may also receive GW emergency alerts. Visit GW Alert FAQ for instructions on how to manage your account. In addition, for those who use mobile apps, the GW Guardian App will push GW emergency alerts directly to the app, as well as other safety functions.