USA: Nationwide demonstrations for gun control laws March 24 /update 1

Event

A rally, named the “March for Our Lives,” is set to take place in Washington, DC, and other cities across the country on Saturday, March 24, to demand stricter gun laws in response to the February 14 mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Up to half a million people may participate in the protest in Washington, DC, which will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue from Third Street NW to 12th Street NW beginning at 12:00 (local time). Road closures around the National Mall will be in effect from 03:00 to 18:00. Individuals should expect bus detours and delays as well as long wait times and crowded conditions at Metro stations.

Around 400 “sibling marches” are expected to take place on the same day in cities across the country at various times (all times local), including New York City at 10:00 (Central Park West and 72nd St to 6th Ave and 43rd Street), Philadelphia at 09:30 (5th and Market Street to Lombard Circle), Chicago at 11:00 (Union Park), Boston at 11:00 (Madison Park Technical Vocational High School to Boston Common), Atlanta at 11:00 (National Center for Civil and Human Rights to Liberty Plaza), and Los Angeles at 09:00 (6th and Spring Street to Grand Park).

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

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 relatively common in the US; five other school shooting incidents involving causalities have occurred in the country since the beginning of the year. 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.