January 4, 2021

Ward 3 Update: A Special Note on Upcoming Demonstrations

Dear Neighbors,

Today, the Council received a two and a half hour briefing from the
Metropolitan Police Department ([1]MPD) and the District of Columbia
Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency ([2]HSEMA) in advance of
the upcoming protests and demonstrations expected to occur this Tuesday and
Wednesday. Our safety experts expect [3]larger crowds than the [4]last
protest and are eliminating parking along a number of streets, blocking off
certain roads downtown, and are deploying an all hands on deck effort to
prevent violence and property destruction. All of us are asked to [5]avoid
the downtown area this Tuesday and Wednesday and to not engage those
demonstrators who have come to the District seeking confrontation and
violence.

I join my Council colleagues in sharing the following message:

We urge people to avoid the downtown and federal areas where permits for
events have been issued for January 5 and 6. In similar recent events,
white supremacists and militia groups have created conflict and provoked
violence, creating harm for individuals and to our institutions. We urge
residents to recognize these are the voices of those who have already lost.
Votes have been certified and the demonstrations this week will not change
the outcome of this election. There is no gain for all people who desire
peace in engaging with those who come here with malicious intent, and doing
so only brings great risk.

The peaceful transfer of power following a free and fair election is a
cornerstone of our democracy. Any efforts to disenfranchise voters and
overturn the will of the electors is nothing short of betraying our very
American democracy and should be strongly condemned by all.

The District of Columbia is no stranger to peaceful demonstrations and
protecting individuals’ rights to exercise their First Amendment. In an
unequivocal and unanimous voice, we also condemn hate and the actions
witnessed against District residents, faith-based institutions, and the
District’s core values in the past months – specifically actions to destroy
symbols that proclaim that Black Lives Matter. This Council has time and
again worked to strengthen our laws and all legal protections against hate.
We stand ready to protect our residents.

We recognize that downtown is home to residents and businesses whose rights
must be respected and protected as we work to keep all safe, including
residents who are currently homeless. We call upon the Mayor’s Office, the
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and coordinating agencies to ensure
this is a priority as events go forward this week. Further, we call on MPD
and all law enforcement to ensure safety, prevent violence, and to do so
with no appearance of preference or disparate treatment.

Please stay safe,

Mary

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would like to receive alerts (such as by text, email, or phone call).

[6]Click here to sign up for Alert DC

[7]Click here to view current alerts

Downtown Traffic Closures for January 5th & 6th

[8]

Downtown Traffic Closures - On Tuesday, January 5th, and Wednesday, January
6th, the above streets outlined in purple will be restricted to vehicular
traffic from 6:00 am to 11:59 pm.

For the full list of closed roads, please see: [9]Restricted Vehicular
Traffic.

Downtown Parking Restrictions for January 5th & 6th

[10]

Downtown Parking Restrictions - From Tuesday, January 5th, through
Wednesday, January 6th, parking will be prohibited along the streets
outlined above in red.

For the full list of parking restrictions, please see: [11]Restricted
Downtown Parking.

Our Office is Open

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

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References

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8. [link removed] 5th - 6th, 2020 First Amendment Restricted Vehicular Traffic Map.pdf
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10. [link removed] 5th - 6th, 2020 First Amendment Restricted Vehicular Traffic Map.pdf
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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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