Since President Donald Trump first began talking about building a Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle, it’s been met with criticism from the public, lawmakers and even veterans.
“It’s so stupid and so ridiculous, and it’s such a waste of money and time – but this is a symbol of the corruption of this president,” said Michael Beer, who lives in nearby Virginia.
Beer’s outrage has only grown after President Trump announced last month plans to make the arch a military complex to house ammunition and act as a defensive post for the city.
“We have 70,000 cars a day, vehicles a day that go around this circle. And the idea of putting an enormous arch here that’s also an ammunition dump and a drone launching pad with snipers. It’s so unsafe and so insane,” Beer told Spectrum News.
The busy traffic patterns were on full display Thursday, as protesters against the arch gathered during morning rush hour. The protest held up traffic at times as cars slowed to read signs and lay on their horns in support.
“I strongly believe that this is a sacred space and that we should honor all of the people who are buried in National Cemetery, National Cemetery and the people that are their loved ones that are trying to come visit with peace and not with this monstrosity,” said another protester named Vicki.
Earlier this year, three Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian teamed up to file suit against the administration to try and block the arch from being built. Jon Gundersen, one of those veterans who also served in the foreign service, said he believes the president’s push for this arch is “ego driven.”
“I’ve served six Republicans, six Democratic presidents from ‘66 to about four years ago, and all of them until this president I could serve loyally. I didn’t agree with all the politics that they were trying to do the right thing,” said Gundersen during Thursday’s protest. “This president is ego driven, vindictive. He doesn’t think about the country.”
The proposed arch would stand 250 feet tall in honor of America’s 250th birthday, towering over the Lincoln Memorial’s 90-foot height. It would also cut off the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee. The placement of the memorial honoring America’s 16th president with a direct view of the mansion atop a hill in Arlington was designed to symbolize the reunification of the country after the Civil War.
Gundersen said he and his fellow plaintiffs believe the arch to be disrespectful to the over 400,000 people buried in Arlington National Cemetery – many of them veterans or active duty members of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This is a waste of taxpayers’ money. It is not honoring veterans. We’re not against memorials like Vietnam. We want it to be done right, we want it to be passed by Congress, with input from veterans and others,” he said.
Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate, and have given the administration a wide berth when it comes to the president’s executive actions. Democrats have not been willing to go quietly, however. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., called the president’s attempt to militarize the arch “silly.”
“I think the president pivoted when the Supreme Court said he could build the White House ballroom because it had national security implications. I think he decided, ‘well, let me arm this, put drones and snipers and ammunition in it. Maybe they’ll approve it then,’” said Beyer. “Who are the snipers even going to shoot – people at the Lincoln Memorial or people visiting graves at Arlington cemetery? And of course if you stuff it with ammunition, it becomes a perfect target for terrorists to blow it up. So it’s a very silly thing.”
Litigation over the arch remains ongoing, though the administration appears to be moving full steam ahead. Last week, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, filled with Trump loyalists, gave a green light to the project. The administration is required by the court to give 48 hours’ notice of any arch-related activity, according to the lawyer representing Gundersen and the other plaintiffs, regardless of whether it constitutes “construction or demolition in preparation for construction.”
“If he’s going to bring the bulldozers, I’ll stand in front of the bulldozers,” said Gundersen.
In spite of this, marker flags did appear visible in Memorial Circle where the president intends the arch to go.
The White House did not respond to criticisms from the protesters or the concerns about plans to militarize it, but spokesman Davis Ingles told Spectrum News the arch “is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world.”
“It will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today,” he added.
Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
