United States: Major rally for gun control laws in DC March 24

Event

A rally, named the “March for Our Lives,” is set to take place in Washington, DC, on Saturday, March 24, to demand stricter gun laws following the February 14 mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Up to half a million people could participate in the protest, which will take place on the National Mall beginning at 10:00 (local time). Furthermore, 50 related demonstrations are expected to take place on the same day in cities across the country, including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston (on the Boston Common), Atlanta (in front of the Georgia Capitol Building), and Los Angeles (at Pershing Square).

A heightened security presence and associated traffic disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of the rallies, notably in Washington.

Context

At least 17 people were killed by a lone shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14. Mass shootings are common in the US; five other school shooting incidents involving causalities had occurred in the country since the beginning of the year alone. Since 2013 there have been nearly 300 such incidents, one every week on average.

Advice

Individuals in Washington, DC, and other affected cities are advised to anticipate transportation disruptions in the vicinity of the protests and report any suspicious behavior or objects to local authorities.