Washington, D.C

DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News

Published

1 year ago

July 25, 2024

DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News

The cleanup from protests outside Union Station, connected to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress, is underway Thursday morning as officials prepare for the prime minister’s visit to the White House.

Protestors used red, green and black spray paint — marking the fountains, statues and walkways with symbols and words like “free Palestine” and “let Gaza live.”
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

WTOP/Kyle Cooper

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: National Park Service workers replace one of the flags fronting Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The flags were removed during the protests surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress which occured as the Israel Hamas war inches closer to a ten month anniversary. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) — National Park Service workers replace one of the flags in front of Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The flags were removed during the protests surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress which occured as the Israel Hamas war inches closer to a ten month anniversary.
(Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: National Park Service workers attempt to remove graffiti at Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The flags were removed during the protests surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress which occured as the Israel Hamas war inches closer to a ten month anniversary. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) — National Park Service workers attempt to remove graffiti at Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
(Getty Images/Kent Nishimura)

Cleanup Columbus Circle — The National Park Service has put up metal barriers around Columbus Circle so workers can pick up trash and clean the marble fountain, statues, walkways and the Freedom Bell filled with graffiti.
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

The National Park Service uses a chemical called Elephant Snot to loosen the paint before it is power-washed. Several treatments over days will be needed.
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

Protestors set the U.S. flags and effigies on fire at Union Station.
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

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Clean up begins outside Union Station after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit

Protestors used red, green and black spray paint — marking fountains, statues and walkways with symbols and words like “free Palestine” and “let Gaza live.”

The National Park Service has put up metal barriers around Columbus Circle, so it can pick up trash, and treat and clean the marble and stone fountain, statues and walkways, as well as the Freedom Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell.

The park service says cleaning the marble and stone is delicate and difficult because paint seeps into it. They use a chemical actually called Elephant Snot to loosen the paint before it’s power washed. Several treatments, over the course of days, will be needed.

People passing by seem shocked by what they saw.

One man, Joe, told WTOP “it should have been prevented, I don’t know why they’re allowed to graffiti so much, spray paint so much.”

Another woman — who did not want to give her name — said she’d “never seen anything like this, it’s pretty bad.” Exiting Union Station into Columbus Circle, commuters stop, take pictures and some stand with their mouths open.

At least 15 people were arrested in the protests, police said, which shut down some streets in the area and forced Union Station to close some of its entrances. Some people missed trains, unable to get into the station on time because of the protests.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said the department will continue to support peaceful protests, but must hold accountable those who commit criminal acts while in the city.

Shutdowns will continue on Thursday as Netanyahu visits the White House. Street closures are outlined below.

Posted closures during Netanyahu’s visit

The closures started on Sunday and are expected to last through Saturday, July 27.

The following streets are posted as Emergency No Parking through Saturday, July 27 at 3 p.m.:

Virginia Avenue NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue
Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street NW
F Street NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street
27th Street NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street
2600 block of I Street NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, July 21 starting at 10 p.m. through Friday, July 26 at 6 a.m.:

Rock Creek Parkway NW between Virginia Avenue and the Potomac River Freeway southbound
Virginia Avenue NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue (eastbound lanes)
Jamal Khashoggi Way (southbound lanes) between Virginia Avenue and F Street NW
F Street NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street
27th Street NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street
2600 block of I Street NW
27th Street ramp from northbound Potomac River Freeway

Traffic traveling south on Rock Creek Parkway will be diverted east on I Street from Virginia Avenue NW to Potomac River Freeway. Westbound traffic on Virginia Avenue NW will be able to turn north on Rock Creek Parkway.

All traffic from Ohio Drive SW will be diverted north on Potomac River Freeway.

Due to First Amendment activity, plan for intermittent street closures and traffic delays, D.C. police said. Police are advising drivers to consider alternative routes.

Motorists can access businesses and residences around the Watergate Hotel in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood through Jamal Khashoggi Way and 25th Street NW and 27th Street and Virginia Avenue NW.

Residents can access the Watergate Hotel on foot by 27th Street and Virginia Avenue NW, 25th Street and Jamal Khashoggi Way NW and 25th Street and F Street NW.

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Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

The Commanders are set to build a new stadium in D.C., and the debate over how fans will get to and from games is happening right now. On Wednesday, city leaders will join Metro and the Washington Commanders to talk stadium transit.

Posted December 17, 2025 2:05am EST

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Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

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National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

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