On Saturday, September 12, 2009, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) will be holding a public awareness event at the DC Washington Monument on the subject that Homeland Security begins with a prioritized commitment to Equality and Liberty, which identifies and challenges those ideologies that defy such universal human rights.

Our Homeland Security cannot even begin until we honestly challenge those ideologies that defy our universal human rights, and that are used to oppress women, religious minorities, and others around the world.   Terrorism cannot be “stopped” by appeasing extremism or any other anti-freedom ideologies, in the false hopes that we can “negotiate” with those who defy our very universal human rights of equality and liberty.

For more information, contact:
realpublic@earthlink.net

This public awareness event will be from 1 PM to 4 PM at the northeast quadrant of the Washington Monument close to Constitution Avenue, on the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 15th Street NW.

See “Permitted Location” in map below.  Click here for full page area map.

Travel:

Public parking is very difficult in Washington DC on weekends, and strongly discouraged, especially given another event being held at the Capitol that same date.

Attendees are urged to use the Washington DC subway (see subway trip planner). The Washington Monument is nearby the Smithsonian Metro subway stop (Blue/Orange) line, just a short walk away.  The following are walking directions to the Washington Monument from the Smithsonian Metro subway stop (orange/blue line):

SMITHSONIAN METRO STATION to WASHINGTON MONUMENT:

1. Exit station through 12TH & JEFFERSON (THE MALL) entrance.
2. Walk approx. 2 blocks W on Jefferson Dr SW.
3. Turn right on 14th St NW.
4. Walk approx. 1 block N on 14th St NW.
5. To “Permitted Location” walk another half block toward Constitution Avenue NW and 15th St NW

Another alternative is the Federal Triangle metro stop:

FEDERAL TRIANGLE METRO to WASHINGTON MONUMENT:
1.Exit on 12th St NW
2. Walk south towards Constitution Avenue NW
3. Cross street toward Washington Monument
4. Walk down “Permitted Location” at Constitution Avenue NW and 15th St NW

National Park Service Web Advice on Travel

Nearest Metro

The nearest Metro station to this site is Smithsonian on the Mall near 12th Street, SW.  Federal Triangle station also provides convenience access to the Washington Monument.

Parking/Public Transit

Parking throughout the District of Columbia is restricted generally (see individual area signs for site specific closures/restrictions) from 12:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

Washington, D.C. is a very busy metropolitan area. Parking is at a premium throughout the entire city. Private paid parking garages and lots can be found downtown north of the National Mall. Free on street parking is generally restricted to two hours (ticketing/towing enforced). Limited free day long parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW which is along the Potomac River south of the Lincoln Memorial or in Lots A, B & C south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

It is highly recommended that you make use of the efficient public transit system (Metro rail and Metro bus) as well as Tourmobile, the official interpretive visitor transportation service for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Information and schedules for Metro can be found at www.wmata.com. Information and schedules for Tourmobile may be found at www.tourmobile.com.

For those arriving from NYC:
— Boltbus $20 bus (one way) from NYC 33rd and 7th to Washington DC 10th and H Streets NW
— September 12 (6:30 am depart – 10:45 am arrive; 7:00 am depart – 11:15 am arrive, 7:30 am depart – 11:45 am arrive, 8 am depart – 12:30 pm arrive)

— Greyhound bus – multiple options

— DC2NY $28 bus (one way) from NYC Penn Station to Washington DC 14th and H Streets NW or Dupont Circle
— September 12 (10 am depart – 2:00 pm arrive)

— related articles on NYC-DC travel options
— Washington Post
— Washingtonian