US: March for Life planned in Washington, DC January 24

Event

The annual March for Life rally and march is slated to take place in Washington, DC on Friday, January 24. The rally will begin at around 11:00 (local time) on the National Mall at 12th Street. Following the rally, participants will gather on Constitution Avenue between 12th and 14th Streets at 13:00 and march up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and Capitol building. A heightened security presence is expected in the vicinity of all demonstrations. Transportation disruptions, including traffic congestion, road closures, and an increased demand for public transport, are likely throughout DC on Friday.

A series of events leading up to the march, including expositions, speeches, and movie screenings, will be held at the Renaissance Washington hotel beginning on Wednesday, January 22, and continuing through Friday. Large crowds and transportation disruptions are possible in the vicinity of the hotel. Counterdemonstrations are likely in the vicinity of all March for Life events.

Context

The March for Life coincides with the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which ruled on the constitutionality of laws that restricted access to or criminalized abortions.

Advice

Individuals in Washington, DC are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence and transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.