With the March for Our Lives expected to draw close to 500,000 visitors on Saturday, I wanted to share as much information as possible about the event, including expected closures and ways to participate if you’d like.

Before the national event kicks off at noon on Saturday, I wanted to be sure you knew about the Rally for DC Lives taking place that morning followed by a march to link up with the larger event on Pennsylvania Avenue. Join me, Mayor Bowser, Congresswoman Norton, and most importantly, several incredible young people who will share their stories of how gun violence has impacted their lives. Given the national discussion taking place, it's also important to localize it, listen to our own young people, hear their stories, and take action.

Rally for DC Lives

Where: Folger Park (3rd and D St., SE) 

When: 9-10 am, Saturday March 24

Why: Rally with your neighbors, hear from DC's youth about gun violence, learn from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton about congressional efforts to interfere with DC's gun laws, and head to the national March for Our Lives as a group

RSVP: Click here to RSVP to get any last minute updates. 

Is this event family friendly? Yes! This is a student-driven rally and we'd love to have kids and youth come. Feel free to make a sign or two to bring as well. 

Since this is about empowering the next generation, DC's Board of Elections will have staff on hand to help register voters and even pre-register future voters between the ages of 16 and 18. 

Will this happen rain or shine? Yes! This rally will take place no matter the weather -- we will be out there and hope you'll plan to join.

How are we getting to the national March for Our Lives? Here's the proposed walking route we'll take at 10 am. We will head for the entrance at 7th and Constitution, NW. 

Will you have restrooms and a place to get inside if I need it? Yes, Brent Elementary School will be open during the morning if you need access to restrooms. Please be respectful of their space and leave it cleaner than you found it!

After the Rally, if you need a breather, St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 3rd and A St., SE will have its doors open and offer refreshments. While our group won't make a stop, feel free to head the few blocks north if you need to warm-up first.

Information About the March for Our Lives

There's a helpful FAQ if you're interested in attending the March here: https://marchforourlives.com/dc-march-faq/

Landing page for all-things DC around the March: https://marchforourlives.dc.gov

Text alerts: You can sign-up for text alerts from the city by texting "MARCH24" to 888-777. 

When: Saturday, March 24, beginning at noon. 

Where: The stage will be at 3rd and Pennsylvania facing west, but there are three entrances - 

• 12th and Pennsyvlania, NW
• 7th and Constitution, NW
• 7th and Indiana, NW

Getting There:

If you plan to take Metrorail to the March, please note that the entire Federal Triangle Metro Station and the 4th Street entrance to Judiciary Square Metro Station will also be closed.  The closest stops to the March location are Archives-Navy Memorial, Judiciary Square, and Federal Center. WMATA will be running on a rush hour schedule all day but prepare for crowds and get your SmarTrip card ready in advance!

The Circulator’s National Mall Route will be suspended for the March. Circulator buses will be used to transport marchers from the RFK Parking lot to the National Mall from 7am to 6pm.

Ridesharing and the ADA drop off point will be at 7^th and Maryland SW. (Did you know Lyft is offering free rides to the March?)

The DC Streetcar will have extra staff on-hand to help connect visitors and residents from the Oklahoma Street Station to Union Station.

What Can I Bring?

While there will be food and drink available for purchase around the March, it is smart to pack some water and snacks. Be sure to bring a bag or backpack that is smaller than 18” by 13” by 7”. Cameras are fine but leave the selfie sticks, bicycles, and pets at home. Service dogs are allowed. A full list of restricted items can be found on the March for Our Lives website.

Banners and signs smaller than 20’ x 3’ x ¼” are welcome at the rally, and wearable, foldable and rollable banners and signs are encouraged. Please no sticks or other supports for your signs. Do you need ideas for your sign? Get inspired here. East City Books will host a pre-March sign making event at 10:30 am Saturday morning.

Street Closures

The March for Our Lives will be held at Pennsylvania Avenue, 3rd-12th Streets NW. Entrances will be at Pennsylvania Avenue & 12th Street NW, Constitution Avenue & 7th Street, NW, and Indiana Avenue & 7th Street NW.

MPD and DDOT are planning to close Constitution Ave from 3rd Street, NW to the East Crossover with Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 3rd Street, NW to 4th Street, NW beginning Friday evening at 7pm. Many other streets will have Emergency No Parking until Saturday afternoon. You can see a complete list of closures here.

Bus Parking at RFK

We expect many buses to bring in thousands of visitors to RFK. Some of those visitors will probably decide to walk down East Capitol Street to the main event, much as we've seen with past inaugurations and marches. My office is working with the Mayor’s office and community partners to make sure there will be facilities available in case people need to take a break or use the restroom. With so many families with children expected, we’re trying to make sure they will have what they need. 

Want to be More Involved?

Share your love for and knowledge of your city with March attendees. Be a Wayfinder! We need a LOT of volunteers to help folks around the city. There will be a pre-march training Thursday, March 22, 6:00 pm at the Washington DC Convention Center. Find some friends and volunteer.

Pre-March Activities
Friday afternoon at 2pm student journalists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will appear on a panel at the Newseum to discuss their experiences surviving and reporting on the February 14 attack. Margaret Brennan, moderator of CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” will lead the discussion. The event is free with admission to the Newseum.

Washington National Cathedral will host an interfaith prayer vigil at 7pm, Friday, March 23. The program is being planned by a collaborative coalition of young people and leaders from many faith traditions. Advance registration is required so please sign up here.

I'm very excited for this Saturday and hope you'll be able to join me at both the Rally for DC Lives and the March for Our Lives to call for an end to the epidemic of gun violence.