Lawmakers, Crowds Protest Trump's 250-Foot Militarized Arch at Memorial Circle
Updated
Updated · ARLnow · Oct 1
Lawmakers, Crowds Protest Trump's 250-Foot Militarized Arch at Memorial Circle
3 articles · Updated · ARLnow · Oct 1
Summary
Several members of Congress, local officials and a larger crowd rallied Thursday at Memorial Circle, launching a daylong protest against the proposed 250-foot arch beside Arlington National Cemetery.
Speakers said the structure would dishonor military families, disrupt historic sightlines and snarl traffic, while Sen. Tammy Duckworth also questioned how drones and snipers could operate near tourists and Reagan National Airport.
Don Beyer argued Trump was invoking national security to sidestep due process, while Public Citizen is already challenging the project in court and demonstrators vowed to keep protesting until 6 p.m.
Federal reviews have already warned the arch could damage the integrity of dozens of historic properties by breaking the Lincoln Memorial-Memorial Bridge-Arlington House alignment, though a key commission approved it this summer.