Protesters rally against proposed Trump Triumphal Arch near National Mall during Memorial Day weekend – WUSA9
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WASHINGTON — A new protest near the National Mall drew attention over Memorial Day weekend as activists rallied against President Donald Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch planned for Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery.
The demonstrations came after the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved a final design concept and site plan for the project. Just north of the Lincoln Memorial, protesters erected a mock arch as part of a three-day series of rallies, marches and vigils organized by the activist group Third Act DMV.
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“I think it says it all — no tacky Trump arch,” said Mary Keegan, a Northern Virginia resident helping organize the event.
Organizers said the demonstrations are intended to oppose construction of the proposed 250-foot monument at Memorial Circle, near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.
“To say no to the arch, so our theme is really ‘86 the arch’ and arch insanity,” said Susan Douglas, an organizer with Third Act Virginia. “We’re just fed up. This is not a project we voted for, but we have to pay for.”
Douglas said the mock arch erected for the demonstration stands about 17-feet tall and was intended to show how large the proposed monument would appear near the cemetery and memorial corridor.
“It’s going to block the view between the Lincoln Memorial and National Cemetery, and it’s actually a historical view,” Douglas said.
More than 50 demonstrators marched across the bridge during the first day of protests, carrying signs, playing music and criticizing the proposed project.
“We don’t need it, we don’t want it,” Keegan said.
Ted Pourzal, a D.C. resident attending the protest, said he believes the project sends the wrong message at a time when other priorities should take precedence.
“It’s pompous, this money could be much, much better spent,” Pourzal said.
“It’s not about being Republican or Democrat honestly — it’s about keeping our country safe and prosperous,” he added. “Why should this be a priority? We are lacking so many other things — infrastructure and whatnot.”
Opponents of the project also argued the proposed arch could violate laws restricting new construction on federal parkland in the nation’s capital.
“We want this to be a beautiful city, but building monuments to a living president is not appropriate,” Douglas said. “Monuments should be built for people after their legacy has been established.”
Organizers said they expect a larger crowd for another rally planned Monday.
