D.C. National Guard supports local authorities during March for Our Lives demonstration

WASHINGTON, DC (03/24/2018) (readMedia)-- The District of Columbia National Guard will support local authorities during the March for Our Lives demonstration in Washington, D.C., today.

At the request of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the D.C. National Guard will be supporting the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Service.

The D.C. National Guard Soldiers will be conducting crowd management, traffic control, and vehicle intrusion operations alongside the D.C. MPD. Additionally, the DCNG's 33rd Civil Support Team will provide stand-by Chemical, Biological Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive, rapid detection support to the D.C. FEMS.

People attending downtown events are encouraged to plan appropriately and adhere to posted and broadcasted guidance and instructions. Additionally, people should report any suspicious activity or packages to law enforcement as immediate as possible.

As part of its homeland mission, the D.C. National Guard provides this form of assistance to local and federal law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services during special events in the District of Columbia. Of note, the DCNG has provided support for the 2017 First Amendment demonstrations, 2017 Women's March on D.C., 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, July 4 Independence Day celebrations, March on Washington's 50th Anniversary and Concert For Valor. Additionally, the DCNG, with assistance from National Guard units across the country led the National Guard's support of the 58th Presidential Inauguration.

For more information contact D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office, at 202-685-9862 or 202-821-7181 or byron.b.coward.mil@mail.mil.