Otakon and "Unite the Right" rally
Obvious heads up is obvious, but I haven't seen it posted anywhere.
The rally is a mile away from the convention. Saturday has typically been the busiest day of Otakon, and Sunday the closing ceremonies start at 3:30.
Everyone be careful, take care of yourselves, and, if you don't want to be involved with the rally attendants or counter protesters, please avoid that area on your way out of town.
Again, I feel like this is obvious, but I wanted to make sure it was said.
Posted Aug 9, 2018, 1:22 AM UTC
1311
A mile is really far in the city. These rallies (or any rallies for that matter) are usually well-contained on the mall and most tourists/rally goers do not travel more than three blocks north of the mall.
I think the nazis' permit application was for Lafayette park. Not sure about where the counterprotest permits were for.
A mile is not that far, and this is somebody who regularly walks in the city. There can easily be spillovers which reach closer to the convention center. Likewise those going to the convention could end up closer to the action.
My big worry is some attendees who are a very diverse group running into nazis in town, and getting bashed by a group of them.
My advice to people going to Otakon is to travel in packs when out of the convention center. Likewise if you see an attendee on their own, ask them to join you. Be safe!
I appreciate the extra caution, but the likelihood of spillover is definitely low, especially for right winged groups who are in a city that is 95% liberal.
I also regularly walk in the city and have lived in Logan Circle/Dupont (which is closer to the convention center and the mall than takoma) for almost 15 years.
I hardly notice a difference during the major events like the women’s march. I am actually surprised at how few people make it up here afterwards.
It is low. I would advise to people if they see somebody alone from Otakon keep an eye out for them. I am more worried about spillover where some attendee wanders into the fracas.
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