The Washington Examiner reported earlier today that the Park Service will allow an immigration reform rally on the ‘closed’ National Mall in Washington DC tomorrow.
A planned immigration reform rally will take place on the National Mall on Tuesday even though the site is closed due to the government shutdown.Organizers for the “Camino Americano: March for Immigration Reform” were spotted Monday setting up a stage and equipment on the National Mall for the rally which will take place on Tuesday.A few scattered barriers around the park have signs informing visitors that the area is closed as a result of the government shutdown.Susana Flores, a spokesperson for the rally, confirmed for the Washington Examiner that the Park Service will allow the event to take place under the group’s rights granted by the First Amendment.
The report indicated that the rally is being hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and AFL-CIO in combination with several immigration activist groups.
As we’ve been reporting here at Legal Insurrection, multiple open air parks and sites have been intentionally closed off to others during the shutdown.
Most notably, visiting veterans who arrived in DC on an Honor Flight trip last week were initially denied access to the World War II Memorial. Aided by several volunteers and members of Congress however, they pushed past the Barrycades to gain access and get a closer look at their memorial.
Ultimately, the Honor Flight Network was granted access under the same first amendment provision.
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