WASHINGTON (AP) - Officials in the District of Columbia express confidence in their crowd management expertise, as noted by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith, who stated, "We are really the experts in this space when it comes to crowd management." Over the course of eight days, this expertise will be tested as the city hosts back-to-back large-scale events that could potentially attract counterprotests.
On June 7 and 8, the city will celebrate the peak of the two-week World Pride event. These two days will feature a grand parade on Saturday and a rally and protest march on Sunday, culminating in a giant street party and concert along Pennsylvania Avenue. The World Pride celebration has previously drawn crowds of up to 1 million visitors to D.C., although initial hotel reservation numbers suggested a possible decline in attendance this year due to fears related to harassment or protests against President Donald Trump’s policies. However, Destination D.C. President Elliott Ferguson reported a last-minute surge in hotel bookings for the event.
Following the cleanup from World Pride, preparations will begin for a military parade on June 14 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, coinciding with the 79th birthday of President Trump. This event will feature heavy military equipment, including 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers, which presents unique challenges regarding the potential damage to city roads. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed her concerns about the impact of these armored vehicles on downtown asphalt, despite assurances from the military regarding the coverage of repair costs and the installation of protective plates at intersections.
Security concerns surround both events, with police and security officials prepared for potential counterprotests. Trump’s administration has faced criticism over LGBTQ+ issues, leading to fears of violence against World Pride participants. While these fears have largely been unfounded so far—with one queer bar vandalized—organizers are taking precautions such as installing security fencing around the street party to enhance safety measures in response to community concerns.
The June 14 military parade is anticipated to attract about 200,000 attendees. This event will coincide with a significant counterprotest called the "No Kings" rally, which aims to march within sight of the White House but is not expected to interfere directly with the parade. Lindsey Appiah, the deputy mayor for public safety, noted that plans for the Army's 250th birthday celebration expanded considerably with Trump's involvement, necessitating a flexible and responsive approach from city officials.
Appiah underscored D.C.’s capability to handle multiple large-scale events, citing a precedent from earlier this year when the city managed the congressional certification of Trump’s electoral victory, the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, and Trump’s inauguration—all within two weeks during a significant winter storm.
Moreover, the logistical challenges for D.C. officials continue beyond June 14, as the military parade will be followed by three matches of the FIFA Club World Cup starting on June 18 and the annual July 4 fireworks extravaganza. Clint Osborn, head of the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, likened the busy summer schedule to "Super Bowl after Super Bowl after Super Bowl," highlighting the strain on resources as the city navigates these high-profile events.
