On Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 12, rally and protest activities are expected to have a major impact on the Foggy Bottom Campus.
The Unite the Right 2 rally is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, Aug. 12, the anniversary of last year’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. Unite the Right 2 organizers have a permit for two days of activity on Aug. 11-12 in Lafayette Park, located across from the White House. Protest and counter-protest activity could occur at any time throughout the weekend. We expect the majority of the activity that will affect the Foggy Bottom area to occur between 2:30-10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The Marvin Center, Gelman Library and Lerner Health and Wellness Center will be closed on Sunday, Aug. 12. An updated list of building closures can be found here. The GW community can also expect disruptions at the Foggy Bottom Metro station, road closures and security barriers on and around campus, increased traffic on and around campus, restricted access to or closures of additional campus buildings, and delays on the Vern Express shuttle to and from Mount Vernon Campus.
The GW Division of Safety and Security has been working in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department and local law enforcement agencies on safety and security plans. There will be a significant law enforcement presence on and around campus.
We recommend the following to all GW community members:
- Follow the guidance of security officials, posted signage, and monitor the situation through the Campus Advisories page and via @GWTweets on Twitter.
- Carry your GWorld ID card with you at all times as you may be asked for identification, and access to campus buildings may be restricted unexpectedly.
- Be mindful of people following you into the entrances of residence halls or other university buildings and do not allow access to anyone unknown to you.
- Plan your weekend accordingly. Traveling to and from campus will be difficult and unnecessary trips are discouraged.
- Program the George Washington University Police Department's emergency number (202-994-6111) into your phone and report any unauthorized persons or unusual activity.
- Update your contact information including phone numbers and additional email addresses for GW Alert, the university's emergency notification system.
- Sign up for AlertDC to receive District of Columbia emergency information and road closure updates.
- Download the GW PAL app to wireless devices.
- Download the TransLoc app for real-time information on the location of the Vern Express shuttle.
The safety and security of our community is of paramount importance. Be aware that situations can change quickly and GW Safety and Security officials will be closely monitoring conditions on campus. GW community members are advised to be aware of their surroundings, monitor Campus Advisories for updates and heed any safety and security advisories.