9-11 Urban Legacy: Cities of Bollards

“It used to be that D.C. architecture consisted of graceful Georgetown mansions, neoclassical federal buildings — and, of course, the monuments. When the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts was founded in 1910 to guide Washington’s architectural development, it reviewed designs such as those of the Lincoln Memorial and the Federal Triangle. Over the seven years I’ve served on the commission, however, an increasing amount of time is spent discussing security-improvement projects: screening facilities, hardened gatehouses, Delta barriers, perimeter fences, and seemingly endless rows of bollards. We used to mock an earlier generation that peppered the U.S. capital with Civil War generals on horseback; now I wonder what future generations will make of our architectural legacy of crash-resistant walls and blast-proof glass.”

— Wittold Rybczynski, Meyerson professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania.

Read more:

“The Blast-Proof City,” Wittold Rybczynski, Foreign Policy

“We Built DC Into an Urban Fortress After 9/11. And January 6 Proved It Was Penetrable.” Jane Recker, Washingtonian

“I Came, Eyesore, I Conquered,” Witold Rybczynski, Slate

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Bagel Day

Tuesday was Bagel Day at the software development center, and I favored Bagels & Baguettes near Stanton Park. There was a line when I got there, around 8:30 AM. The shop was near the Senate office buildings and the Heritage Foundation, so there was a TV tuned to CNN to keep news-obsessed customers occupied.

By the time I got my two dozen hot bagels, the damnedest thing was on that television. An airplane had crashed into a World Trade Center tower in New York, and the building was on fire. It was September 11, 2001.

I went to the office break room and put out the bagels, cream cheese, and smoked salmon. I guess I was making coffee when the second plane hit the other tower. I figured people still had to eat.

A Cry for Freedom

245 years ago,  British colonists in North America rallied around the cry of “No taxation without representation” to fight for freedom, but the tax-paying residents of the nation’s capital still don’t have a vote in Congress. Mo Rocca looks at the issue for CBS Sunday Morning.

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Rolling & Remembering, 2021

Since 1988, on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, the streets of Washington DC have reverberated with the roar of thousands of motorcyclists commemorating Americans lost in the Vietnam conflict and other wars, in an event most often know as Rolling Thunder. This year the AmVets will sponsor the cycle run, now known as Rolling to Remember. A smaller cycle run, Ride of the Patriots, will start across the Potomac in Fairfax, VA, and join up with the main group.

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DC Emancipation Day, 1862: It Was Slaveowners Who Got Reparations.

On April 16, 1862, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act freeing the 3000 enslaved people in the District of Columbia. This was nine months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in the Confederate states, many of whom actually remained in bondage until the the war’s end in 1865, and 20 months before ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, which definitively outlawed slavery everywhere in the United States.

Understandably, April 16th is a holiday in the District of Columbia, District Emancipation Day, traditionally celebrated with speeches, concerts, fireworks and parades. There’s a bit of rain on that parade, though, if you take a closer look at history. That 1862 act was called the Compensated Emancipation Act, and it authorized payments to DC slaveowners rather than liberation of enslaved people on moral grounds. It even sought to promote emigration of former slaves outside the borders of the United States.

In any case, black Washingtonians had their freedom. That’s definitely worth celebrating.

More:

“When Slaveowners Got Reparations,” Tera W. Hunter, New York Times

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Capitol Riot and Inauguration Lockdown Cost the City of DC Millions

“How big was the economic blow that the city received due to fears of a Jan. 6 reprisal? While it will take some time to come up with a final tally, the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District is estimating a nine-figure loss. ‘From the pandemic point of view, the city is out $100 million-ish from the normal inaugural bump,’ says Gerry Widdicombe, director of economic development for the Downtown D.C. BID.”

–“What the Capitol Riot and Inauguration Lockdown Cost the City of D.C.,” Kriston Capps, Bloomberg CityLab

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Greetings From Fortress Washington

The National Mall will be empty of well-wishers on Inauguration Day, but, thanks to the threats of domestic terrorists incited by Donald Trump, 25,000 National Guardsmen will join thousands of federal, local, and regional police to observe the transfer of power. More Capitol Hill photos here.

Bearing silent witness to the Inauguration: the souls of 400,000 dead Americans needlessly sacrified due to Trump’s criminal reglect.

More:

“‘I never imagined this’: Washington prepares for an inauguration under siege,” Lois Beckett and Julian Borger, The Guardian

“‘Wartime footing’: Capital draped in steel and concrete in unprecedented inauguration security operation,” Kevin Johnson, USA Today

— “Inside look at how 25,000 National Guardsmen are arriving in Washington, DC,” Luis Martinez, ABC News

“What It’s Like To Live Inside D.C.’s Militarized Security Zone,” Jenny Gathright, Carmel Delshad, Jacob Fenston, Natalie Delgadillo, and Tyrone Turner, DCist

“Sorry, Your Homeowners Insurance Might Not Cover Insurrection,” Rob Brunner, Washingtonian

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Trump-Worshipping Thugs to Celebrate 3 Kings Day in Washington

Election-denying Trump supporters will return to DC on December 6th to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany in DC by protesting congressional approval of the Electoral College vote. The red-hatted faithful will make a pilgrimage to the White House in adoration of their orange-faced savior and present him with the Gifts of the MAGA: fragrant frankincense Filet-o-Fish, super-sized golden fries, and Mace. Tiki Torches are optional.

More:

“Yet Another Trump March Promised for January 6 in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“There’s Another MAGA Rally Planned In D.C. On Jan. 6, The Day Congress Declares Election Result,” Matt Blitz, DCist

“Trump Fans File Permit Application for January 6 Rally,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“2 downtown DC Trump supporter hangouts to be closed for Jan. 6 rally,” Will Vitka, WTOP News

“Hotel Harrington And Harry’s Bar, Gathering Place For Proud Boys, Will Close During January MAGA March,” Rachel Kurzius, DCist

Updates:

“Jan. 6 protests multiply as Trump continues to call supporters to Washington,” Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post

“Proud Boys Say They’ll ‘Be Incognito’ During January 6 Trump Rallies in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“D.C. is becoming a protest battleground. In a polarized nation, experts say that’s unlikely to change.” Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post

“Capitol Police to enhance security at Jan. 6 session to certify election,” Chris Marquette, Roll Call

“Rep. Gohmert Calls for Street Violence as Another Legal Loss Sends MAGA World Spiraling,” Justin Rohrlich, Daily Beast

“Louie Gohmert Suggests People ‘Go to the Streets’ and Be ‘Violent’ After Judge Throws Out Baseless Election Suit,” Peter Wade, Rolling Stone

“DC mayor asks area residents to stay away from protesters ‘who come to our city seeking confrontation,'” Justine Coleman, The Hill

Yet More Updates:

“MAGA marchers plot final D.C. stand on Jan. 6,” Tina Nguyen, Politico

“What We Know About This Week’s MAGA March,” Mikaela Lefrak, Elliot C. Williams, and Martin Austermuhle, DCist, DCist

“DC Cops Tell Descending MAGA Hordes: Guns Banned From Jan. 6 Pro-Trump Protest,” Jamie Ross, Daily Beast

“D.C. National Guard activated to respond to pro-Trump protests,” Jacqueline Feldscher, Politico

“Streets in downtown D.C. to close Tuesday, Wednesday for pro-Trump demonstrations,” Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post

“5 Reasons to Avoid the January 6 Pro-Trump Marches in DC,” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“Mayor and Black Lives Matter Ask Public to Avoid Trump Supporters,”Amanda Michelle Gomez, Washington City Paper

Astoundlingly, More Updates:

“Proud Boys Brawl With D.C. Cops Ahead of Pro-Trump March,” Allison Quinn, Daily Beast

Related:

“Gohmert’s Pence lawsuit seeks to declare Electoral Counting Act unconstitutional in bid to overturn Biden win,” Ronn Blitzer, Fox News

“Trump supporters organizing ‘second inauguration’ for him online Jan. 20,” Joseph Choi, The Hill

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They’re Back! Trump-Worshipping Thugs to March on Washington

Since their November demonstration was so effective in overturning the election, maskless MAGA maggots patriots are returning to the Nation’s Capital tomorrow. They’ll be protesting the shocking lack of proof of election fraud at the Sylvan Theater, near the Washington Monument. Beer drinking is illegal there, so MAGAheads should leave promptly by 2PM to tromp back to the coolers in their vehicles parked in residential DC — downtown streets near the monuments are closed due to the demonstration. Afterward, the red-hatted throng will merge with the Disappointed Denialist Dames at Freedom Plaza to make a pilgimage to the White House. Maybe they can help Melania with her packing.

Speaking of packing, several of last month’s MAGA marchers were busted for gun offenses. Shame their sense of self-protection doesn’t extend to face masks.

More:

“Trump supporters plan DC rally to ‘demand transparency’ before Electoral College vote,” N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today

“Another MAGA Rally Planned For D.C., This Time With Fewer Expected,” Matt Blitz, DCist

“Million MAGA March’ on DC: What to know,” Will Vitka, WTOP

“Counter protests planned ahead of second ‘Stop the Steal’ rally,” Lex Juarez, Local DVM

“Park service approves 2 permits for Saturday’s pro-Trump rallies. Here’s what to expect,” Jack Moore, WTOP

Updates:

“This Weekend’s MAGA Rally Speakers Are Coming From the Nation’s Biggest Covid Hot Spots,” Daniella Byck, Washingtonian

“Thousands gather in D.C. for pro-Trump demonstrations as city braces for clashes,” Emily Davies, Rachel Weiner, Clarence Williams, Justin Wm. Moyer and Jessica Contrera, Washington Post

“Trump Supporters Protest Again In D.C., Claiming The Election Was Stolen,” Dominique Maria Bonessi, Matt Blitz, Jenny Gathright, Debbie Truong, and Tyrone Turner, DCist

“Trump supporters turn out in DC to back president, protest election results,” Kaelan Deese, The Hill

“5 Arrested in DC Amid Clashes Before Pro-Trump Rally,” Sophia Barnes, NBC 4 Washington

“Trump Flies Over D.C. Protesters Shouting ‘Destroy the GOP,’” Will Sommer and Alaina Demopoulos, Daily Beast

“Flynn delivers first public remarks since Trump pardon at DC rallies,” Celine Castronuovo, The Hill

“Four People Critically Injured In Downtown Stabbings During Night Of Violent Demonstrations,” Colleen Grablick, DCist

“At least 23 arrested, 8 injured as violence breaks out in D.C. following pro-Trump rallies,” Tim O’Donnell, The Week

“4 Stabbed, 33 Arrested as Trump Supporters, Counterprotesters Clash in Downtown DC,” NBC Washington

“Pro-Trump rally descends into chaos as Proud Boys roam D.C. looking to fight,” Peter Hermann, Marissa J. Lang and Clarence Williams, Washington Post

“Historic D.C. Black churches attacked during pro-Trump rallies Saturday,” Allison Klein, Washington Post

“Pro-Trump protesters rally for a coup: ‘We’re not going anywhere,’” Cameron Peters, Vox

“Vandals hit Black churches during weekend pro-Trump rallies,” Michael Balsamo and Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press

“Proud Boys sparked clashes during pro-Trump rally, D.C. officials say,” Tom Jackman, Michael Brice-Saddler and Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post

“Proud Boys Say ‘There’s Been a Proud Boy at the White House for 4 Years,'” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

“DC Police Detail Arrests, Damage From Saturday’s Trump Protests,” Jordan Pascale, DCist

“Run-Ins With Pro-Trump Mobs After Saturday’s Rally: ‘I Started Getting Punched in the Face and Kicked,’” Andrew Beaujon, Washingtonian

Related:

“Pro-Trump groups march and pray to protest president’s election loss,” Jonathan Landay, Timothy Gardner, Reuters

“Trump unleashes an army of sore losers,”David Siders, Politico

“What Is the Deal With Harry’s Bar?” Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian

“Here’s Why You Keep Hearing About Harry’s Bar,” Nathan Diller, DCist

“Armed Right-Wing Groups Aren’t ‘Militias’—We Need to Stop Calling Them That,” Richard Stengel, Time

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Bye-Bye Bambi: National Park Service Guns Down Deer in DC

In DC, the National Park Service begins its seasonal “Deer Management Program,” deploying NPS biologist-sharpshooters in Rock Creek Park to hunt whitetail deer in the middle of the Nation’s capital. This year the hunt may extend into Rock Creek neighbors, including Melvin Hazen Park, Soapstone Valley Park, Pinehurst Parkway, Glover Archbold Park, Battery Kemble Park and Fort Totten Park. The seasonal slaughter will commence tonight, November 16th, and continue every night until March 16, 2021. The Park Service is, um, shooting to reduce the population to 15 to 20 deer per square mile.

Last year, the NPS donated 1320 lbs. of venison harvested by the program to the DC Central Kitchen charity.

Related:

“Advocacy group presses for culling of deer population in Arlington,” Scott McCaffrey, InsideNoVA

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Image (“Rock Creek Deer Hunt, after Atelier de Walt Disney”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com Comments are welcome if they are on-topic, substantive, concise, and not boring or obscene. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.