The Trump administration seeks to restrict access to the National Mall and the White House

Washington DC's public spaces have long served as a protest venue for Americans exercising First Amendment rights. The Trump administration is now trying to limit the ability for protesters to access and use certain spaces, including the closure of most sidewalks in front of the White House.

In a new rule proposed by the National Park Service, which manages the landmarks, including the National Mall and Lafayette Park, adjacent to the White House, the rules as to how these landmarks could be used would be modified.

"The proposed amendments would amend the regulations explaining how NPS processes permit requests for demonstrations and special events," states the draft rule, as well as "identify places where activities are permitted, prohibited or permitted, but subject to to restrictions.

These changes may include additional fees for permits, more advanced notifications for demos, or limiting the number of people allowed to use certain spaces. The rule would also prohibit certain monuments from "preserving a climate of contemplation" and establishing "permanent security zones" where public access would be totally prohibited.

The establishment of such areas would require the closure of 80% of the sidewalk in front of the White House, a popular venue for impromptu events. Last year, a new design was approved for the closing of the White House in order to deter people from climbing it.

While the privatization – and in some cases the militarization – of some public spaces is problematic from the standpoint of freedom of speech, according to the ACLU, the higher fees are more worrisome because they would make prohibitive the cost of holding some major events. "Expense requirements could make mass events such as the March 1963 March Luther King Jr. March Washington historic and his" I have a dream "speech too much expensive. "

Similar restrictions were attempted during the Vietnam War, but the ACLU successfully sued the maintenance of National Mall and White House areas accessible to those who spoke freely, according to the public comments.

The actions, though radical in relation to current politics, may not be surprising on the part of a presidential administration that has inspired some of the biggest protests in decades, including a public protest that drew more people at the National Mall than the inauguration of this president.

Public comments are open until October 15th.