The National Park Service (NPS) was going to close Dupont Circle Park in Washington, D.C., from Thursday to Monday during WorldPride — a site traditionally used by the city’s LGBTQ for gatherings.
The major Pride Month event is an international celebration of the LGBTQ community held each June in a different city. Washington won the bid to host the 2025 edition, which began in mid-May and runs through Sunday, according to a New York Times report.
Dupont Circle is a site traditionally used by the city’s LGBTQ community for gatherings.
The closure follows President Trump’s March executive order, which directed federal agencies to reinstall monuments taken down during the Biden administration and to remove what it described as “anti-American” content from national museums, parks, and memorials to protect historic national monuments. (RELATED: Department Of Education Chooses Perfect Way To Combat Pride Month)
The federal government says that at the request of DC MPD, Dupont Circle will be closed during Pride Weekend.
Surely MPD’s beef with unauthorized celebration can be addressed by something short of closure?
It’d be like NYC cordoning off Stonewall or SF blocking off the Castro. pic.twitter.com/IZIKtVW4Q1
— Commissioner Joe Bishop-Henchman | Eckington (@joe5f6) June 3, 2025
An announcement that was reported by DC News Now, the New York Times and the Washington Blade, that “At the request of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, with the concurrence of the United States Park Police, the National Park Service will temporarily close Dupont Circle park this weekend, beginning Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 9, as a public safety measure and to protect park resources during WorldPride celebrations,” the statement says.
The statement added that, “This decision was based on a history and pattern of destructive and disorderly behavior from unpermitted activities happening in the park during past DC Pride weekends, including vandalism in 2023 that resulted in approximately $175,000 in damage to the historic Dupont Circle fountain.”
The announcement appears to have allegedly been reversed following social media posts by two council members, who said they spoke with the police chief by phone.
Democrat D.C. Ward 5 Councilman, Zachary Parker, announced on X Tuesday that after speaking with Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, he was informed the decision will be rescinded. (RELATED: Safety-Impaired DC Airport Takes Time To Throw Party For Gays)
I spoke with Chief Smith this morning and I’m glad to report that the decision to close DuPont Circle Park is being rescinded. The Park is central to the lgbtq community, and neighbors will be able to enjoy it this year for World Pride.
Good news.https://t.co/RrKUNhOv4W
— Zachary Parker (@ZacharyforWard5) June 3, 2025
“I spoke with Chief Smith this morning and I’m glad to report that the decision to close DuPont Circle Park is being rescinded. The Park is central to the LGBTQ community, and neighbors will be able to enjoy it this year for World Pride. Good news,” he wrote.
Another Democrat, D.C. Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, posted on X, saying, “This would be the wrong move. The park is an important part of DC’s Pride celebrations, gatherings, and history. We’re hearing this decision may be reversed by MPD, with some accommodations to protect the fountain, and Dupont Circle park will remain open this weekend,” he said.
This would be the wrong move. The park is an important part of DC’s Pride celebrations, gatherings, and history. We’re hearing this decision may be reversed by MPD, with some accommodations to protect the fountain, and Dupont Circle park will remain open this weekend. 🌈 ⛲️ https://t.co/ETYhT8X2Y0
— Charles Allen (@charlesallen) June 3, 2025
The Daily Caller spoke with a spokesperson for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, who declined to comment on Councilman Parker’s claim that Chief Smith had reversed the decision to close the park, noting instead that the National Park Service has jurisdiction over the site. (RELATED: Companies Backing Out Of Supporting Several Major Gay Pride Events Amid Trump’s DEI Crackdown)
The Caller also reached out to the offices of council members Parker and Allen, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Additionally, a request for an official statement from the National Park Service regarding Parker’s post and Chief Smith’s reported comments about rescinding the closure went unanswered as of publication.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
