Site Constraints - Lafayette Square Park

Because of security concerns in Lafayette Square Park, the rules about demonstrations are very strict. We will be representing the national Pagan community in the President’s front yard. National and international media are expected to be there.

We want to present our request for Pagan religious rights in a dignified and courteous manner.

If you are attending the Pagan Religious Rights Rally, please read these rules prior to joining us on the Fourth of July. We need to comply with these rules in every respect.

    • No Athames or Other Ceremonial Weapons
    • No Items for Sale
    • No Lawn Chairs · No Stools
    • No Drums on the Lawn at Any Time
    • No Tripods for Cameras
    • No Canopies or Pop-ups
    • No Weapons of Any Kind
    • No Coolers
    • Single Serve Water Bottles Preferred: Recycling Will Be Available
    • ¾ Inch Wooden Handles (or Smaller) for Signs
    • Signs with No Handles Preferred
    • Please Do Not Stand in the Park’s Fountains
    • Clear Plastic Trash Bags Only

There are stringent requirements about any “free standing structures” at Lafayette Square Park. This is why we cannot have any lawn chairs, coolers, camera tripods and popup canopies. Any upstanding items on the lawn, however small, will be considered free stranding structures. The Park Rangers will ask you to remove them from the park.

The greatest concern about free standing structures is with larger drums such as Djembes. If you bring a Drum, you will have to wear it on a harness or carry it in your arms at all times throughout the duration of the event. You may not put a Djembe down on the ground for even a moment during the rally. Please consider bringing your smaller drums, such as Dumbeks or Frame Drums, as they are easier to carry for such a long time.

Another important concern is weaponry. Please do not bring ceremonial weapons, or weapons of any kind, to the Pagan Religious Rights Rally. The Park Rangers will not allow any weapons so close to the White House. Thank you for understanding this important issue.

You may bring blankets to sit on.

Chesapeake Pagan Community will supply trash containers and recycling bins on the stage. We will have some drinking water available to share, but we ask that you bring your own beverages.

Directions:

Beginning at 11am on the Fourth of July, we will meet at Lafayette Square Park, which is north of the White House and west of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Lafayette Square Park is between 15th and 17th Streets, and between H Street and the part of Pennsylvania Avenue that is blocked off in front of the White House.

Our stage will be on the east side of the equestrian statue of Stonewall Jackson in the center of the park.

Please consider taking Metro, as parking is extremely limited. Lafayette Square Park is easy walking distance from both the Farragut West and Macpherson Square Metro stations on the orange and blue lines. It is also close to the Farragut North stop on the red line. (The area map in the station can guide you to the park.)

Hope to see you at The 4th of July 2007 Pagan Religious Rights Rally!

This rally and ritual is organized and sponsored by Caroline Kenner and Chesapeake Pagan Community.
For more information, email: caroline@paganreligiousrights.org