Thread by @digiphile

DC “law prohibits anyone from carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of any First Amendment activity. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess firearms on the @USCapitol grounds & on National Park Service areas”— @MayorBowser

No guns on the Mall, folks.

#WellRegulatedMilitia

https://twitter.com/mayorbowser/status/1345865329784844289

Well-informed concerns about far-right militias bearing arms, shifting a peaceful protest or march into something darker, the Mayor of DC is asking us to stay away from downtown because of concerns about public safety. I hope she’s prepared to deploy @NationalGuard & hold a line.

Here are the zones for expected “First Amendment Activity” this week in DC.

There may be clashes with Second Amendment activity, with implications for 1st, 4th, & 5th Amendment rights, but not 12th.

(TBD if Members of Congress engage in activity relevant to the 14th Amendment.)

“The existence of free speech zones is based on U.S. court decisions stipulating that the government may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner – but not content – of expression.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_spee…

The existence of no-gun zones in DC is based on national security.

Per @AP, @MayorBowser requested @NationalGuard on New Year’s Eve; anonymous US defense official told AP they’ll be used for traffic control & “crowd management” but won’t be armed or have armor apnews.com/article/joe-bi… contrast to posture to peaceful *unarmed* DC protests in 2020

The @CapitolPolice account isn’t @verified & doesn’t tweet, but has 2,300 officers & civilian employees, an annual budget of ~$460 million, & willingness to openly carry rifles. Should be adequate to keep the peace at @uscapitol.
TBD how @NatlParkService rangers police the Mall.

The @NatlParkService has riot police, including mounted officers, & a SWAT team: nps.gov/subjects/uspp/…
TBD if/how plainclothes officers police militia violating federal laws restricting bearing arms on the Mall as they did local teenager selling water:
ggwash.org/view/amp/63891

Also TBD: if all federal & civilian law enforcement personnel involved in the US government's response to a "civil disturbance" in DC wear visible identification of themselves & the name of the government entity employing them, unlike secret police of 2020 aclu.org/news/free-spee…