Annual "Your Commute Will Suck" Day Wednesday
Actually, last year Washingtonians were saved some driving chaos because the protest on the anniversary of the Iraq invasion was held on a Saturday. Not this year, as protesters from every possible anti-war faction will be gathering in D.C. tomorrow Wednesday on actual date of the invasion, March 19.
Organized under United for Peace and Justice, we count at least ten different events planned around the city. We'll be greeted with folks blocking the IRS and companies like ExxonMobil, bicyclists in a "critical mass" squeezing through traffic in Dupont Circle (cue the "What's the difference from a normal day?" comments), and knitting grannies hanging out by the Veterans Affairs office. Though it's likely the individual protests will be fairly peaceful, it still means that possibly tens of thousands of people will be in between you and places you need to be tomorrow Wednesday, so take a look at the list after the jump and check the event web sites for more locations, and plan your commute accordingly. Protests are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo by theahnman
- "Blockade the IRS": Participants will meet at 7:30 a.m. at McPherson Square Park and march south-southeast to the IRS headquarters at 1111 Constitution Ave. between 10th and 12th streets, NW. They will gather outside the main entrance at 8:00 a.m.
- "Disrupt the War Profiteers": Student groups and activists will converge upon the streets throughout the day to rally outside offices of large corporations such as ExxonMobil, Shell, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin, Bechtel and the IMF/World Bank. Violent actions are not expected but participants may attempt to enter buildings and disrupt routine activities.
- "Separate Oil and State": Participants will meet outside the American Petroleum Institute at 1220 L St., NW at 13th St. Starting time for this event is not yet available.
- "Veterans March for Peace": The march will begin at 9 a.m. at 7th St., NW on the National Mall between Madison and Jefferson streets. Marchers will pass a variety of locations.
- "Critical Mass": Cyclists will meet at 8:30 a.m. at Dupont Circle (P St. and 19th St., NW). They will travel through downtown possibly riding south on Connecticut Ave., NW to the White House. It has been their intent in the past to intentionally disrupt traffic.
- "Granny Peace Brigade Knit-in": A sit-in is planned for noon outside the Veterans Affairs office at 810 Vermont Ave., NW. Violence is not likely and there should be minimal disruptions to routine activities.
- "Funk the War": Similar to Disrupt the War Profiteers, student groups will converge on the K Street corridor. Participants will meet at Franklin Square Park (14th and K streets, NW) at noon and travel down K Street.
- "March of the Dead": Dozens of activists will roam the city dressed in black representing those killed in the Iraq war. Minimal disruptions are likely.
- "The World Can't Wait": Anti-torture rally at 1:00 p.m. at Lafayette Square Park on H St., NW at the White House.
- "March on DNC": Participants will gather at 5:00 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall and march to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at 430 S. Capitol St., SE.