Politics & Government

Federal Workers Urged to Telework for March on Washington Anniversary

DCist: 'Just Don't Drive into DC tomorrow.'

Federal agencies are being encouraged to let workers telecommute Wednesday because of the crowds and traffic expected for the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, The Washington Post reports.

Thousands are expected to be in the District on Wednesday for events culminating the 50th anniversary of King’s speech. The “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony at from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Lincoln Memorial. President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama, Patch has reported.

According to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (view the memo here), local federal offices in the will be open Wednesday, though the memo goes on to say:

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“OPM strongly urges the use of telework to keep the Government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and unproductive time during this event.  Employees who can be spared from their duties may also request to adjust their work schedule and use their alternative work schedule day off or take annual leave, leave without pay, and/or previously earned compensatory time off or earned credit hours under a flexible work schedule.”

For others who may be contemplating heading into nation’s capital, DCist offered a bit of advice: “Just don’t drive into DC tomorrow.”

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According to the National Park Service, several roads will be closed—including a portion of Rock Creek Parkway (between Virginia Avenue and Parkway Drive).

Metro stations are expected to remain open, according to NPS.

Schedule of events

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Interfaith Service
9 to 10:30 am | Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, DC
Invitation Required 

“Let Freedom Ring” Commemoration & Closing Ceremony
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Bells will be ringing across the United States and World at 3 pm EST) | The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The Life and Legacy of Bayard Rustin:  How an African American gay man became the lead organizer of the 1963 Civil Rights March of Washington
7 p.m. Reception to follow | HRC Equality Forum, 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Moderator: Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr., President & CEO, The Center for Black Equity
Panelist: The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. House of Representatives, District of Columbia, friend & colleague to Mr. Rustin during 1963 March on Washington (tentative)
Panelist: Mandy Carter, National Coordinator, Bayard Rustin Commemoration, National Black Justice Coalition. Damien Conners, National Executive Director/COO for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Inc (SCLC). MacArthur Flournoy, theologian, author, and preacher is the Director for Faith Partnership and Mobilization for the Human Rights Campaign. 


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