An Internet talk show host is trying to gather protesters to march into the District on July 4 carrying loaded rifles, prompting a warning from D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier that her own armed force will meet them at the border.
“If you’re coming here to protest government policy, great,” the chief said Tuesday on her monthly appearance on NewsChannel 8, reacting to the group’s plan to cross the Potomac from Arlington National Cemetery. “If you’re coming here to break the law, we’ll take action.”
Lanier added, “There’s a pretty good chance we’ll meet them on the D.C. side of the bridge.”
So will the U.S. Park Police, Sgt. Paul Brooks said. If the protesters go through with the march, Park Police will be waiting for them at the District line, which happens to be on U.S. Park Service property, near the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge.
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He said he wants to work with law enforcement and hopes that Lanier will make an exception to the law and grant his group safe passage, and even a police escort, through the District.
Brooks, with the Park Police, said guns are not allowed in the cemetery in Arlington. But he said it appears the group plans to start just outside the cemetery gates, along Memorial Drive. He said the organization has not sought a permit, as required for demonstrations on National Park Service property, but Kokesh said on the web site he does not intend to get one.
Lanier said on the television program that city representatives are willing to meet with Kokesh and other leaders “to facilitate whatever they want to get accomplished in a legal way.” But, she said, “passing into the District with loaded firearms is a violation of the law and it will be treated as such.”