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Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the use of new protest fees to recover the costs of the National Mall events, but the National Parks Service said the idea was only at its beginnings.
WASHINGTON – Human rights groups have voiced concerns over the use of new protest fees to recover the costs of demonstrations on the National Mall, but the National Parks Service has said the idea was only just beginning.
The American Civil Liberties Union suggested this week that the Trump administration was trying to limit protests near the National Mall and the White House with new guidelines for the protests.
But a spokesman for the National Parks Service said Friday that the concept of pricing was just that, not something that would be implemented soon.
"We want to be clear that the idea of charging for the First Amendment demonstrations is not in the proposal," National Park Service spokesman Brent Everitt told WTOP. "The National Parks Service is only soliciting public comment to find out if it's something we should explore and move on."
The public has until October 15 – Monday – to comment on the plans.
Everitt said the NPS wanted the public to tell the agency if it thought that event-related "cost recovery" should be considered in the future. If the public supported the idea, he noted another comment period and a legal review would likely be conducted prior to the consideration of a formal proposal, if any.
"Up to now, we have up to 7,600 comments," Everitt said. "That's absolutely what we're looking for, because what we're trying to do at this stage of the process is to engage in a sincere dialogue with the public about updating our detailed plan that makes it as easy as possible to use and the enjoyment of the National Mall. "
Any final decision would be made by NPS in consultation with the US Department of the Interior.
The proposed guidelines were posted in mid-August. a 60-day comment period ends on Monday. Public comments will then be reviewed as the process progresses.
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