Photo by Ben Strahs
Hundreds of skateboarders hit the streets today in celebration of Go Skateboarding Day. But when they convened downtown this afternoon, police shut down their festivities.
The “official holiday” for skateboarders began in 2004 as an excuse for skateboarders in Southern California “to make skateboarding their top priority,” if only for a day, according to the International Association of Skateboard Companies. Now, hundreds of riders participate in events across the globe.
Earlier this afternoon, a trail of skateboarders were spotted whizzing down 14th Street NW, likely heading to Freedom Plaza—where skateboarding is publicly banned.
At least 200+ kids, one cop on a bike, another on a Segway, with a cruiser trailing pic.twitter.com/d0b54r9Bvd
— Craig Plazure (@CraigPlazure) June 21, 2016
Around 1:20 p.m. the Metropolitan Police Department received a call about the group’s gathering at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, according to an MPD spokesperson. US Park Police were nearby and arrived at the scene.
The crowd, estimated at about 200 to 300 people, began throwing bottles at the officers, Anna Rose of the National Park Service told DCist. After more officers arrived for backup, the skateboarders dispersed, she said.
