Hey all! I'm new here and have only made a couple of posts so far. Quick question, I'm going to be on vacation with my parents and boyfriend in Washington DC on March 14th-March 18th. I just read online that they are planning an anti war protest in front of the Pentagon for Saturday March 17th. Now I've never been to DC before, so I don't know how close the Pentagon is to certain stuff, but I obviously want to avoid the protesters at all costs. Besides then Pentagon, what places do you think are close enough to there for me to avoid on Saturday? Thanks a bunch.

The Pentagon is actually in Virginia so if you saty downtown near the museums, monument, etc, you should be fine.

Yeah, the Pentagon is in Arlington, VA (coincidence? ), and away from any other of the classic DC sights. Maybe only if you want to see the new Air Force Memorial would you run into the crowds.

Incidentally, the Pentagon is not accessible all that well on foot, so I wonder where they're planning to protest...

Well, there is a great overlook with good parking where one can see where the Islamists attacked the Pentagon with a plane full of civilians.

But you can see the memorial from there too.

So it might harsh their mellow.

Plus, I recall seeing powerlines overhead, so their giant puppets might be in danger.

In a giant parking lot probably? The Pentagon City Mall food court? Anywhere on Pentagon grounds (including parking lots), you're subjecting yourself to searches at police discretion, so that ought to be interesting.

For the OP, I agree with all the other posts--nothing to worry about. Even Arlington Cemetery, the closest tourist site to the Pentagon, shouldn't have a problem.

Just don't count out other protests. If it's not one thing it's another. Most weekends on or near the mall tend to have a protest or 3.

Every other weekend I was on the mall, someone was marching on capital hill. As long as you keep to yourself and stick to the sights, you'll be fine.

I guess I lost my post a week or so ago when the web site was having problems. So, I'll try to re-create things for you. I worked in The Building (as they call the Pentagon) from 1991-93 and have been badged there ever since. There is a huge river between it and Washington DC. There is a major Metro (rail and bus) hub at the Pentagon, which is where most of the protesters will arrive. The DC area is very used to having things disrupted for one reason or another, so you will have absolutely no problem getting around this week. The Pentagon parking lots are pretty empty on the weekends, which is why it's such a good place from which to stage rallies or other events. (For the conservatives out there, the big Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride every Memorial Day originates from the Pentagon north parking lot just because there's so much room.)

Actually, if you've never seen a protest or other political rally, you might consider dragging everyone over to the Pentagon just to witness it.

If you get down to the Mall and see the memorials, look up at Lincoln sitting there or Jefferson standing there and say, "Good morning, Mr. President." When I was stationed at the Pentagon, I used to run past the Lincoln Memorial every morning, and this is what I used to say to him. I guarantee it will give you a whole different perspective on things, including the quality of people we've elected to that office over the last 15 years or so.

Finally, in response to TierFlyer and others, let me state that I wore my country's uniform to preserve the right for protesters to assemble on March 17 and for your right to disagree with them.