Costumed deomostrators hold Halloween protest to save East Potomac Park
Music, costumes and a whole lot of bikes.
It might have looked like a Halloween celebration, but it was actually a protest to save East Potomac Park.
“It’s a collective space that people love and have cherished their whole lives,” said Leon Bournes with District Running Collective.
It’s called the Hains Point Hoopla, put on by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). This is the fourth time the group has held the protest. This time, they were joined by the D.C. Activist Street Band and hundreds of others.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced plans to renovate the golf course on East Potomac Park, transforming it into a championship-level course.
“The Ryder Cup, the President’s Cup, the U.S. Open. He wants to get one of these majors out here in East Potomac. Why? Because he hasn’t gotten one,” said one golfer who spoke at the rally Saturday.
The D.C. Preservation League is suing to block the renovation.
A couple weeks ago, the Trump administration removed hundreds of trees from the park, saying it was routine maintenance.
In a fiery court hearing Friday, it appears the administration admitted that work was actually part of the planned renovations.
“Since February, they have contended that there is no plan for expanding the golf course and taking over this place. We all knew that was a lie and they continue to lie and continue to lie and yesterday Judge Reyes called them on it,” said Rebecca Miller, executive director of the D.C. Preservation League.
Despite an order from Federal Judge Ana Reyes banning the administration from removing any more trees from the park, the president has announced plans to close the East Potomac Golf Links on Nov. 15.
WABA’s executive director, Elizabeth Kiker, said she and her group will be doing everything in their power to fight back.
“Are we exhausted? Yes. Have I encouraged other people, ‘Hey, you guys want to see the federal government step up?’ Because it’s tiring, but it’s also very important,” she said.
WABA is planning a lobby day on Capitol Hill on Nov. 12 and hopes to hold another protest on Nov. 15.
News4 has reached out to the Department of the Interior for comment about Friday’s hearing and what will happen next and is waiting for a response.
