D.C. Braces for Joint Session of Congress, Protests

Pandemic aside, anxiety levels in the District — and elsewhere — are on the rise during this first full week of 2021. Anticipating large-scale pro-Trump protests in downtown D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Sunday, Jan. 3, announced the activation of the District’s Emergency Management Agency beginning Monday, the mobilization of the full Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday and Wednesday and numerous parking restrictions and street closures (see below).

With all eyes on Tuesday’s runoff election in Georgia, which will determine if the Republican Party keeps or loses control of the Senate, and Wednesday’s certification of electoral college votes at a joint session of Congress — expected to be futilely contested by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and other Republican senators and senators-elect, with support from some party members in the House — the Washington Post on Sunday released a leaked recording of a telephone call in which President Donald Trump failed to persuade Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that President-elect Joe Biden’s win in Georgia was stolen and should be undone.

This revelation immediately became the lead story of all major news outlets, including the scooped New York Times, and triggered multiple calls for a second impeachment, despite Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration being but days away.

No one, however, expects the Jan. 6 protests — approved by the National Park Service and labeled First Amendment demonstrations by Mayor Bowser — to be called off. Trump supporters, including the Proud Boys, incognito, will assemble at the Washington Monument, Freedom Plaza and the Capitol, according to reports.

In the Jan. 3 release from her office, the mayor said: “I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation, and we will do what we must to ensure all who attend remain peaceful.” Somewhat ominously, the release included reminders about D.C. restrictions on the possession of firearms.

Residents and commuters were encouraged to register for alerts at alertdc.dc.gov and to report suspicious activity at iwatchdc.org or by calling 911 in the case of immediate threats or emergencies.

In addition to the street closures listed below, delays and intermittent street closures in the downtown area and on Thursday are possible. Updated information is posted at twitter.com/dcpolicetraffic.

Emergency No Parking: Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 6 a.m. to Thursday, Jan. 7, at 11:59 p.m.

H Street from 15th Street NW to 17th Street NW

I Street from 15th Street NW to 17th Street NW

Connecticut Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW

Vermont Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW

15th Street from I Street to K Street NW (west side of McPherson Square)

17th Street from I Street to K Street NW (east side of Farragut Square)

Emergency No Parking: Tuesday, Jan. 5, and Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 18th Street NW

Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street NW to 18th Street NW

E Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

F Street from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW

G Street from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW

I Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

I Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

H Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

H Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

K Street from 9th Street NW to 18th Street NW

New York Avenue from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

17th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW

(west side of Farragut Square)

15th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW

(east side of McPherson Square)

16th Street from K Street NW to O Street NW

14th Street from Independence Avenue SW to L Street NW

13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to L Street NW

12th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW

11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to E Street NW

10th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW

9th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

7th Street from Independence Avenue SW to E Street NW

6th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW

4th Street from Independence Avenue SW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

3rd Street from Independence Avenue SW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

New York Avenue from 18th Street NW to 17th Street NW

C Street from 18th Street NW to 17th Street NW

D Street from 18th Street NW to 17th Street NW

Madison Drive from 3rd Street NW to 15th Street NW

Jefferson Drive from 3rd Street SW to 15th Street SW

Street Closures: Tuesday, Jan. 5, and Wednesday, Jan. 6, from approximately 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

The decision to restrict vehicles will be based upon public safety. If safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to and from their residence.

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 18th Street NW

K Street from 9th Street NW to 18th Street NW

I Street from 9th Street NW to 18th Street NW

H Street from 9th Street NW to 18th Street NW

New York Avenue from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

New York Avenue from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

G Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

G Street from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW

G Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

F Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

F Street from 12th Street NW to 15th Street NW

F Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

E Street from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW

E Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

D Street from 5th Street NW to 9th Street NW

D Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

C Street from 3rd Street NW to 6th Street NW

C Street from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 3rd Street NW to 15th Street NW

Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 17th Street NW to 18th Street NW

Indiana Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street NW

3rd Street from Independence Avenue SW to D Street NW

4th Street from Independence Avenue SW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

4th Street from Indiana Avenue NW to E Street NW

5th Street from Indiana Avenue NW to E Street NW

6th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW

7th Street from Independence Avenue SW to E Street NW

9th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to E Street NW

10th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW

11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to L Street NW

12th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to L Street NW

13th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to L Street NW

14th Street from Independence Avenue SW to L Street NW

15th Street from Independence Avenue SW to L Street NW

16th Street from H Street NW to L Street NW

Vermont Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW

Connecticut Avenue from H Street NW to L Street NW

17th Street from Independence Avenue SW to L Street NW

Madison Drive from 3rd Street NW to 15th Street NW

Jefferson Drive from 3rd Street SW to 15th Street SW

12th Street Tunnel

9th Street Tunnel

tagsBrad RaffenspergerDonald TrumpGeorgiaJoe Bidenjoint session of CongressJosh HawleyMayor Muriel BowserprotestsProud BoysSenate runoffstreet closuresWashington Post