Even though isolated barricades with "closed" signs remained on the National Mall on Tuesday, the setup for the immigration reform rally said otherwise.
A giant stage with lights and an "Immigration Reform Now" banner was set up in the center of the mall, along with three large portable screens.
On one side of the mall, more than 100 porta potties were set up for protesters who will attend the rally today.
As several groups of musicians performed sound checks, a lone National Park Service employee arrived to survey the scene, but referred me to the Park Service communications office and left when I asked her why she was called into work today.
As the Washington Examiner reported Monday, rally organizers said that they would be allowed by the NPS to carry out their protest under their First Amendment rights.
I say let them protest. Since when do you need permission from the government to protest the government?
That said, I think that the barring of public places - especially national parks and open-air monuments - during the government "shutdown" is government stupidity beyond belief and typical of the kind of thinking that creates wasteful government spending in the first place.
If it doesn't usually cost any money to run something - and now suddenly barring access to that thing DOES cost money - how is that doing anyone any good?
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