Press contact: media@answercoalition.org, 412-651-7719

*For immediate release* Dec. 6, 2016

Attorneys and Activists Demand National Park Service and Trump Presidential Inaugural Committee Stop Unconstitutional Efforts to Block Free Speech Protests in Washington, D.C., for Days and Weeks Before and After Inauguration

Press Conference
Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Justice Center, 617 Florida Ave. NW

Attorneys from the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund and activists planning protests in Washington, D.C., are holding a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to expose the unconstitutional actions by the National Park Service and Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee that are blocking mass mobilization protests before, during and after the presidential inauguration by denying space to mass assembly protests. The NPS is giving all of the space at the Ellipse, Lincoln Memorial, Lafayette Park, White House sidewalk and other historic spaces for dissent in the nation's capital to Trump's PIC for its exclusive use for weeks on either side of the Inauguration, including the planned day of mass marches, Saturday the 21st. Lawyers and activists will announce their plans to respond to this unconstitutional blocking permit.

The National Park Service last week created a “fake news” story blaming different protest groups for their refusal to issue permits to other organizations, including the women's march, planning protests during the inaugural time period. The fake news was designed to conceal the fact that the National Park Service has issued to itself an omnibus permit on behalf of the Trump Presidential Inaugural Committee as a way of blocking mass assembly protests in the traditional areas for such activity before, during and after the presidential inauguration on January 20. The NPS has set aside virtually all of the major locations for mass assembly in Washington, D.C., under its stewardship and made them unavailable to those trying to organize First Amendment activities.

Attorneys from the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, who have been litigating on behalf of free speech protests during the inauguration for more than a decade, will explain the unconstitutional nature of the NPS actions on behalf of the Trump PIC and plans for a response. Organizers from the ANSWER Coalition will announce plans for mass demonstrations regardless of the NPS omnibus blocking permit.

Get on the bus from New Haven!

Protest Against Trump on Inauguration Day: Fight Racism, Defend Immigrants!

New Haven Volunteer Meeting: Thursday, December 8th!