Activists planning the “Women’s March on Washington” and those protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump won’t be able to do so near some of DC’s most iconic monuments.
The National Park Service filed documents on behalf of the Presidential Inauguration Committee to secure large sections of Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as the Washington Monument, the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial for the inauguration festivities.
That means activists who were hoping to hold demonstrations at the Lincoln Memorial like many iconic marches and the other sites won’t be able to do so.
The National Park Service requests permits for the inauguration a year in advance of the event, said Mike Litterst, spokesman for the agency.
One of the most high-profile planned events – “Women’s March on Washington” – was not announced until November after Trump was elected. Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the march on January 21, the day after the inauguration.
“What we are doing with the Women’s March is we’re working with the organizers to find suitable alternatives,” Litterst said adding that he expected something would be announced soon.
Fontaine Pearson, one of the march’s organizers, has previously said that the march is not a protest against Trump but aims to highlight women’s issues, including sexual assault and workplace discrimination.
“We’re strong, but this has been a very difficult election for a lot of women,” Pearson she told CNN.
March organizers did not immediately respond Friday to CNN’s request for comment.
