NPS Denies They're Allowing Trump to Control Protesters

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Park Service acknowledges it is giving special treatment to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, but says they're working to accommodate everyone's request for permits on the National Mall despite claims from activists that the agency is collaborating with Donald Trump to shut down protests planned during and around Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.

The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund held a press conference on Wednesday in D.C. to "expose the unconstitutional actions by the National Park Service and Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee that are blocking mass mobilization protests before, during and after the presidential inauguration by denying space to mass assembly protests," according to a statement from the organization.

Mike Litterst, an NPS spokesman, said they were simply following protocol.

"National Park Service regulations, which have been in place since 2008, establish a preference for the Presidential Inaugural Committee for some of the public areas along Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Mall, and surrounding areas," he said in a statement. "The vast majority of the public sidewalks abutting the Inaugural Parade are available to members of the public and those seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights. Additionally, the Park Service is actively reviewing the pending permits and as always, is committed to accommodating as many permits as it can."

Image via Flickr user Gage Skidmore