Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

On Oct. 27, 2018, my community lost 11 lives to an anti-Semitic act of hate the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

In the weeks and months of mourning that followed, one thing I kept hearing over and over again was a cry to Vote! At that moment it felt like no amount of voting or organizing could heal the pain and mourning we were feeling. Although local elections were coming up, the presidential election felt so far away and so intangible. It felt like the change in rhetoric and leadership that we truly needed was just not going to happen. At that moment I could not fully see the power of a vote.

I am originally from California and consider myself a liberal-leaning Democrat, so voting in my home state rarely makes an impact. At home, I am one of many blue drops in the bucket. There, my vote blends into the masses. After moving to Pittsburgh to attend Carnegie Mellon University, though, I quickly felt a sense of home and belonging and wanted to have a say in local politics. So, I changed my voter registration to Pennsylvania.

Get The Jewish Chronicle Weekly Edition by email and never miss our top storiesFree Sign Up

On the evening of Oct. 27, 2018, I went to a vigil on the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues. I stood surrounded by a sea of people feeling the beginning of a grief that would soon become a part of the person I am today. I stood in that intersection surrounded by people crying and praying and grieving just like me, but I had never felt so alone. I thought that intersection would always be tainted with this painful memory of the lowest moment of my life the weight of death and hate making the world feel empty and silent.

A few days after the shooting, I was sitting on a bench at Rodef Shalom Congregation and a stranger gave me a blue plastic bracelet. The Hebrew words on one side loosely translated to You do not have to heal the world but you cannot desist, and on the other side it read, Take one step.

Fast forward two years to Election Day 2020. While running an errand I ended up in Squirrel Hill. Almost automatically, I drove to the Tree of Life synagogue building, parked my car and sat in the courtyard beneath the stained glass windows. As I sat in the courtyard by myself on that crisp, sunny Pittsburgh morning I noticed a row of stones sitting on the retaining wall. I counted 10 stones. One was missing. I looked down and saw the missing stone had fallen to the ground. I picked it up and laid it with the other 10 that in total symbolized the 11 people murdered that fateful Shabbat morning. I sat back down and stared at the stones, listing off every name of each person we lost that day.

Following the shooting at the Tree of Life building, I became an agnostic Jew. Although I now identify even more strongly with my Jewish identity, I could not and still cannot fathom how God can exist and take 11 innocent lives. Despite my lack of belief in God, I did something as I sat in that courtyard that day that I have not done in a very long time. I prayed. But this time it was not to God it was to every person we lost on Oct. 27, 2018. I made a promise to every single one of those people, whom I will never know, that today would be the day we would remove from power the man who allowed hate to flourish in our country.

On the evening of Nov. 3, my heart broke to see Pennsylvania on the televised electoral map fill with bright red. As I sat glued to my couch for the five long days we called Election Night 2020, Allegheny County came up on the Magic Board nearly every hour on CNN. But as the votes trickled in, night by night, as my mail-in ballot got counted, as my friends ballots got counted, we began to see our votes in action. As the red numbers got smaller and smaller, we cautiously hoped the blue numbers might have a fighting chance.

I could be poetic and say it was the hope that brought us to the moment Biden took Pennsylvania, but no, it was the votes.

This year I saw votes in action. I saw the people behind those votes who flipped the state and made their voices heard. I was not old enough to vote in the 2016 election, so I watched my country make a decision that would empower a hateful, horrible man to enter a Jewish place of worship and take 11 innocent lives. But this election, I finally had a say. I finally had a vote. My vote got a female vice president, a Jewish second gentleman, and a president who has been a longtime advocate for gun control into the White House. You cannot tell me that my vote does not matter. A small decision made years ago helped to flip an entire state.

On the evening of Nov. 7, 2020, I found myself, again, on the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues. But this time there was music blasting and bright eyes under masked smiles. Now I stood in the middle of that intersection again with tears in my eyes, but this time tears of joy. This time, the people surrounding me were dancing and singing and waving flags and holding signs because we had just elected a new president. We did that. Our state. Our county. Our votes. And although a vote cannot heal the pain and the loss that my community endured, I think back to that little blue plastic bracelet that said, Take one step. That is what voting is. Not a cure, but a step.

So as I stood at the intersection of Forbes and Murray on Nov. 7, 2020, I welcomed the tears in my eyes. Tears filled with hope for a new beginning. Tears filled with happiness at the knowledge that my vote mattered and my voice was heard. I finally understood the cry to vote. I voted for a candidate who stands on the platform of kindness and empathy, who understands loss and grief and who I believe will do everything in his power to care for a country simultaneously grieving and celebrating so much.

This is the moment the work begins. We have taken one step, now it is time for another. PJC

Adira Rosen is a directing student at Carnegie Mellon Universitys School of Drama.

Read this article:
The cry to vote | The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle - thejewishchronicle.net

Regular air conditioners are known to be something of an energy hog, drinking power to cool down or heat up your house. So how could a solar air conditioner help?

A solar air conditioner is an air conditioner that runs off of its own dedicated solar panels, rather than one that's hooked up to a regular solar system or the main electricity grid. Effectively, it runs on its own self-contained circuit.

The solar air conditioner consists of three main components:

There are two points at which you may be able to save with a solar air conditioner:

Let's compare the costs of installing a 3.5kW solar air conditioner from Solar ACDC to installing a normal solar system and separate aircon unit.

Solar system + air con

Solar air conditioner

1. Estimates are from this calculator.2. Figure is from this site.

For this comparison, assume that you run your 3.5kW air conditioner for 4 hours every day during all 90 days of summer, keeping it set to 22 degrees Celsius3. Then, if energy from the grid costs 30c/kWh, running an air conditioner on mains power will cost you:

$0.25 (hourly cost of aircon) x 4 (hours per day) x 90 (days in summer) = $90

This means your solar aircon will save you about $90 in running costs annually, if you don't have to rely upon mains power. For larger air conditioners, this might stretch up to $200 annually.

With this in mind, the solar air conditioner will save you about $1,600 on install, and $100 - $200 yearly, for each year you run it. Heating has been excluded from this analysis, since it's most required in late afternoon or evening, after the sun has set and your solar air conditioner is inactive.

3. Calculations are based on this site.

While the solar air conditioner is great in concept, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of compared to just using an air conditioner with a normal solar system:

Solar ACDC claims that some elderly Australians may be able to cover the costs of solar air conditioner installation under the My Aged Care benefits scheme. This scheme is designed to give financial assistance to older Australians who need extra care or services to live safely and independently in their home.

However, Finder's analysis of the requirements for My Aged Care funding suggests that getting coverage for a solar air conditioner is unlikely at best, and you should check the scheme's requirements before making any financial decisions.

See the article here:
Solar air conditioners: How do they work and how much can I save? - finder.com.au

Fact.MR has announced the addition of the Insulation Blow-in Machine Market Estimated to Record Highest CAGR by 2028 " report to their offering

According to a recent Fact.MR study, worldwide sales of insulation blow-in machine closed in on nearly 30,000 units, and are estimated to register a Y-o-Y growth of 5.8% in 2019. The insulation blow-in machine industry growth has been underpinned by a wide range of trends, especially the growing demand for energy efficient insulation along with increasing adoption of HVAC systems in both residential and commercial sectors. In addition, demand for thermal and acoustic insulation in industrial buildings to improve cooling and heating systems continues to drive the growth ofinsulation blow-in machine market.

The study finds that rising popularity and adoption of insulation blow-in machine are remarkably influenced by its use of recycled waste materials such as fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool that are environment positive, cheap, effective, easy to install, and have relatively high R-value. Further, opportunities are imminent in insulation blow-in machine market, as manufacturers continue to shift their focus towards portable products, amid rising home improvements and DIY activities for filling in attic spaces, wall cavities, and joist cavities.

To remain ahead of your competitors, request for a sample>>>>https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=560

Addition of chemicals in loose-fill insulation materials to provide fire resistance properties for specific industrial application such as in cookhouse will continue to provide potential growth prospects of the insulation blow-in machine market.

North America Lead Gains in Insulation Blow-in Machine Market

According to the study, North America is likely to retain its leading position in insulation blow-in machine market, representing sales of over 10,000 units in 2018. As old infrastructure gets worn out and prices of new construction rises, homeowners in the region are focusing on home improvement and renovation activities including blown-in insulation, thereby impacting the market growth. East Asia, on the other hand, has witnessed an exponential rise in the construction industry on the back of improving economic conditions, government initiatives in infrastructural development, and high disposable income. This, coupled with increasing installation of HVAC systems in urban areas will complement the expansion of insulation blow-in machine market in East Asia.

For critical insights on this market, request for Methodology here>>>>https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM&rep_id=560

Cellulose Sales for Insulation Blow-in Machine Continue to Remain High

Cellulose has been growing in popularity as the most preferred material for blown-in insulation, as it provides green, efficient, non-toxic, and affordable thermal or acoustic insulation. Building and Construction Technology (BCT) of UMass Amherst declared cellulose insulation as a smart alternative to fiberglass, while the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) claimed that insulating a house of 1500 square feet with cellulose will recycle as much as newspaper as an individual will utilize in 40 years. In 2018,

cellulose sales for insulation blow-in machine exceeded 18,000 units, accounting of nearly 60% volume share of insulation blow-in machine market. Although the demand for fiberglass blown-in insulation is also anticipated to witness significant growth, several health hazards along with stringent regulations set by OSHA and NAIMA regarding the use of fiberglass may negatively impact its sales growth.

The study opines that electric operation of insulation blow-in machine continues to gain increasing momentum, owing to its higher operational efficiency, durability, and no-emission, as compared to gas and diesel operations. Growing consumer inclination towards green insulation to lower environmental impact and improve energy conservation along with technological advancements will augment the segmental growth of insulation blow-in machine market.

For Comprehensive Insights Ask An Analyst Here>>>https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=560

According to the study, demand for insulation blow-in machine will remain robust in residential sector, accounting for approximately 70% share in 2018. Ever-rising number of residents and buildings are likely to increase the need for insulation of both new and existing wall cavities and attics. In addition, numerous advantages of blown-in insulation in effectively decreasing the amount of sound transmission between walls and providing thermal insulation to improve energy savings will continue to push the demand of insulation blow-in machines.

The Fact.MR study also offers a long-term forecast of the insulation blow-in machine market for the period between 2018 and 2028. The insulation blow-in market is projected to exhibit a volume CAGR of 6.2% through 2028.

About Us:Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.

Contact UsFact.MRUnit No: AU-01-HGold Tower (AU)Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3AJumeirah Lakes Towers, DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesContact: +353-1-6111-593E-mail: sales@factmr.comWebsite : https://www.factmr.com

See the original post:
Insulation Blow-in Machine Market Estimated to Record Highest CAGR by 2028 - Industry Today

The joy of watching Below Deck isnt about remembering the guests, but after her short-lived charter, it was clear Delores would go down in Below Deck infamy. The boat enthusiast became one of just a few guests to be kicked off their charter when she drunkenly jumped off the boat after dinner, which Captain Lee Rosbach called the ultimate fuck you to the captain. On January 18s Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen welcomed the woman to explain herself in a world exclusive interview. With a fitting video backdrop of a harbor, Delores told Cohen, You know, the water was just beautiful. I dont know what else to say. It was calling my name. As for the drinking, she added, Whos not drunk on vacation? Which, fair!

Looking back, Delores even saw a flaw in the whole situation. There was no man-overboard protocol thrown out there, she noted. (Remember, Delores lives on a boat.) No one threw me a life ring; no one threw me a vest; no one got in the dinghy to haul my ass back in. But that wasnt her big, exclusive bombshell. When I went back to my room, I had already started packing because I was going to call a water taxi to leave the next day anyway, she told Cohen of her reaction to being kicked off. I think we were all on the same page there. Sure until she jumped off the tender boat on her way back to shore. The water was just stunning and beautiful, and I was on vacation and wanted to be in the water! Delores conceded. Well, were glad it was worth it.

The rest is here:
Kicked-Off Below Deck Guest Delores Says She Was Planning to Leave Anyway - Vulture

STAMFORD Like every Tuesday, Mayor David Martin grasped at a way to describe the magnitude of the pandemics impact on American life. This Tuesday, he likened the loss of life across the country to something deeply familiar to any Stamford resident: traffic.

Before the pandemic, the number of cars traversing the George Washington Bridge plus all the calls in the Lincoln Tunnel going both days was about 400,000 a day, Martin said during his weekly COVID-19 update for the city. Imagine if every single car that got under the George Washington Bridge or went into the Lincoln Tunnel never came out the other side.

With that grim milestone in mind, Martin emphasized that hope is on the way for Stamford residents as the city continues to expand its vaccination program through a partnership with Stamford Health, a collaborative effort announced by the healthcare system last Friday.

Stamford shuttered its own vaccine clinic in order to pool resources with the hospital, which is inoculating healthcare personnel, first responders, and people 75 and older at the Bennet Medical Center.

Its all hands on deck to ensure that we have one of the best vaccination programs out there, said Stamford Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski.

Stamford Health CEO Kathleen Silard said the hospital has vaccinated approximately 600 people a day since Monday. She projected the figure will grow to 1,000 people a day by the end of the week.

When I went up to the site yesterday it really did my heart good to see our employees and the city employees working collaboratively together to be able to execute on this plan, Silard said Tuesday.

But for Martin, 1,000 people a day is only the beginning.

We are working on a second site that we hope to open in another week or two that would add another at least 1,000 a day, Martin said. On top of that, he put his weight behind opening a third vaccine site in Stamford that would allow the city to inoculate 20,000 people a week.

The city has yet to formally secure a location for its second mass testing site, according to a spokesperson for the mayor.

Both Silard and city officials emphasized that only people over the age of 75 and those eligible under Phase 1a can register for the vaccine, a rule Silard said she is determined to enforce.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Tuesday that Connecticut would take a tiered approach to Phase 1b to ensure that those with the highest risk receive the vaccine first. While adults between 65 and 74 and essential workers are also part of 1b, they likely will not receive the vaccine until February or March.

Silard reported that 90 percent of the doses delivered to Stamford Hospital by the federal government are administered to the public.

So far, Silard said that Stamford Health has administered 6,900 unique doses of the vaccine.

Stamford seven-day average for COVID-19 cases sits at 85 new cases per day. Four Stamford residents died with coronavirus in the last week.

Read the original:
All hands on deck on vaccine rollout in Stamford - The Advocate

Bravo viewers are so curious about the new deckhand, Rob Phillips. They want to know everything about this Below Deck star. Learn about him now.

Since he is making waves onBelow Deck, fans want to know everything aboutthe new deckhand, Rob Phillips.

Bravo's maritime-themed show has been a hit since its inception. Below Deck takes an in-depth look into a yacht crew and their filthy rich guests. Guests enjoy life on the high seas, and viewers are hooked on the drama. There are sometimes lines that cast members are unwilling to cross, such ascooking a 60-plate dinner. However, atother times, chief stews and other crew members are willing to respect the wishes of picky clients. The captain is in charge of keeping everyone safe and firing subpar workers. As the large yacht island-hopsthroughout the season, each Below Deck episode features a different group of guests. Rob Phillips is one of the crew members. He helps guests to enjoy true VIP experiences.

Related: Below Deck: How Julia D'Albert Pusey Is Pioneering Women-Run Businesses

Below Deck Season 8 had its first lossas the spinoff'sviewerswatched Sustainable Shane Coopersmith walk the plank. In his place came Rob Phillips, who bonded quickly with fellow deckhand James and dubbed Francesca a "sexy nun." Bosun Eddie Lucas is thrilled to have a deckhand who knows what he is doing. Rob definitely knows how to tie a knot. See Rob on the water in his Instagram post below:

Upon Rob's arrival, Eddie told cameras he was "happy to have Rob on the team. It seems like he has the experience, which is definitely gonna be a change of pace. Anything's better than Shane." Rob has a low-key Instagram profile with the tag@r0b.phillips. The newest reality star has under 5,000 followers but still loves showing off his traveling pictures. He is Canadian and comes from a "long line of sailors," but his true love is rocks. Geology, to be more precise. His first week on the show, he told viewers, "I'm an exploration geologist, which means, in a nutshell, I'm like a nerdy Indiana Jones. I look for gold, but as soon as the markets crash, I lose my job, which is why super yachting's kind of like the fallback sometimes."

This Below Deck guy seems to have it all, including education, a sense of humor, and a strong work ethic. Captain Lee is bound to love him just as much as fans already do. While viewers doubt he will have the courage to make out with the chief stew, fans can watch his bromance with James bloom each week.

Next: Below Deck Med 5: Jessica, Peter, Ciara & Alex Reunite For Bar Fun In Video

Below Deckairs on Monday at 9 pm EST on Bravo

Source: Rob Phillips/Instagram

90 Day Fianc: Rebecca's Zied Flaunts New Look & Gives Away Spoiler

Jennifer is an avid Reality TV follower and is fluent in all Real Housewife drama along with the ups and downs of 90 Day Fiance sagas. When she is not writing she enjoys traveling the world in search of the best beaches! Jennifer has been writing for over 15 years and would like nothing more than to have a proper sit down with the women of the RHONY to 'Make It Nice.'

Read the original here:
Below Deck: Everything To Know About New Deckhand Rob Phillips - Screen Rant

Just when you thought Joshua Dun and Debby Ryan had already reached ultimate marriage goals, they just took things on step further with their latest TikTok that is currently trending.

The Twenty One Pilots drummer surprised fans with the ultimate drum cover of the Suite Life on Deck theme song, which Debby previously starred in the series back when it aired from 2008 until 2011.

This content is imported from TikTok. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

If the video wasn't enough, he also added in the caption, "my vows to Debby", which had fans freaking out, especially due to lyrics like "This boat's rockin'! / Oh ay oh! / Ain't no stoppin' us now!"

"Don't let Cody Martin see this," said one TikTok fan, referencing Debby's character's, Bailey, on-screen love interest who was played by Riverdale star Cole Sprouse.

Another fan mentioned the running joke about Cody Martin's six month plan to get Bailey to fall in love with him, which had other fans laughing.

Meanwhile, Debby also got to play her husband's drums back in May and decided to go with the band's latest single, "Level of Concern," which came out as a track about the currently coronavirus quarantine.

This content is imported from TikTok. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Sadly for us, they haven't been posting a lot of TikToks lately, but at least Josh and Debby always crush it with their amazing ideas.

The couple got married on December 31, 2019 and recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary.

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Here's hoping that they post more amazing gems like this video later this year, because we definitely can't get enough!

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

See the rest here:
Twenty One Pilots' Josh Dun Just Covered the "Suite Life on Deck" Theme Song for Wife Debby Ryan as "His Vows" - Seventeen.com

Just when the Below Deck crew seemed to be hitting its stride in Season 8 with several successful charters under itsbelt, the yachties were thrown another major curveball in the January 18 episode of the show when several of the crew members became under the weather.

After Izzy Wouters was out of commission for parts of the last charter due to an illness, Rachel Hargrove, Ashling Lorger, and Elizabeth Frankini all started to not feel well as they welcomed the next group of guests on board. "I was like, we are so low on people right now," chief stew Francesca Rubi recalled feeling about the situation in the above clip from the Below Deck After Show exclusive to Bravo Insider.

Rachel, Izzy, and Ashling all detailed what it was like to work while feeling sick during the charter season in the Below Deck After Show, above, where Ashling also revealed why she "felt like I couldn't admit why I was sick."

Press play on the above video to also learn what it was like for Francesca, Eddie Lucas, and Captain Lee Rosbach to manage a crew that wasn't feeling100 percent and if any of the My Seanna yachties were worried that the coronavirus (COVID-19) could be responsible for the illnesses on board.

Want more Below Deck? New episodes air every Monday at 9/8c or catch up on every episode ever through the Bravo app.

The Daily Dish is your source for all things Bravo, from behind-the-scenes scoop to breaking news, exclusive interviews, photos, original videos, and, oh, so much more. Subscribe to The Daily Dish podcast, join our Facebook group, and follow us on Instagramfor the latest news hot off the presses. Sign up to become a Bravo Insider and be the first to get exclusive extras.

Follow this link:
The Below Deck Yachties React to Having Multiple Crew Members Sick at the Same Time - Bravo

Elizabeth Frankini from Below Deck all but confirmed that she and James Hough are no longer dating.

In addition to their fallout on the latest episode, Frankini dropped hints during her appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that indicated she and Hough definitely wont be headed to the altar any time soon. Frankini played Do You Regret It? on WWHL and her answers were very telling.

She instantly regretted getting romantically involved with Hough. Frankini also insisted she stuck up for Hough when chef Rachel Hargrove was hammering away at his character during dinner.

She also laughed and said she regretted drunkenly telling Hough to propose to her and then telling the crew they were getting married. Yes! she laughed. If you guys knew the context. He couldnt come to the U.S.! So I was saying it as a joke. Frankini later clarified what happened on Twitter. Some legal issue unexplained on the show! But yeah he literally cant [come to the U.S.].

Unlike the last Below Deck boatmance, Frankini and Houghs relationship seemed to have possibly fizzled out. Jessica More and Rob Westergaard from Below Deck Mediterranean had a super passionate affair that ended as explosively as it began.

And while the two shaded each other during the episode, Frankini and Hough still follow each on Instagram. Neither has started battling each other on social media yet. But Frankini seemed to regret several encounters with Hough.

RELATED: Below Deck: Amy Johnson Admits the Crew Were Shocked To Learn Rocky Dakota Told the Truth About Her Affair With Eddie Lucas

She addressed a viewer question on the WWHL After Show about if she should have bunked with Hough. I had that thought but it would have been a bad idea, she replied. So, Im glad it didnt happen. More and Westergaard bunked together, which ended up causing problems when they started fighting.

While romance makes for great reality television, reality television doesnt make for a great romance. Thus far no Below Deck boatmances have made it on land. In fact, the show may have helped to drive a wedge in between Malia White and chef Tom Checketts previously established relationship too.

White and Checketts appeared on Below Deck Med together. They had been dating for close to a year and seemed to be very happy and in love. But social media drama took over when White turned in chief stew Hannah Ferrier for having an unregistered vape pen and valium. White and Checketts were inundated with hateful remarks and anger. Only a few months later, the couple broke up. White said Checketts cheated on her.

RELATED: Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Jenna MacGillivray Says She and Adam Glick Are No Longer Speaking

Other boatmances experienced a similar fate. Chief stew Jenna MacGillivray and chef Adam Glick from Below Deck Sailing Yacht tried to maintain a casual romance on land. But MacGillivray broke off contact with Glick. I will say this, she said on Another Below Deckpodcast. Adam and I were on very friendly terms up until last week. Something happened and we are no longer friends.

Thus far, the only romance still going strong from the series is Paget Berry and Ciara Duggan from Below Deck Sailing Yacht. The couple appeared on the show but had been dating for several years. Since season 1 ended, Berry proposed to Duggan.

Follow this link:
'Below Deck': James Hough and Elizabeth Frankini's Relationship Bites the Dust Has Any Boatmance Survived the Show? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

U.S. park rangers look at the spot where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Security threats have prompted officials to shut down the National Mall and much of downtown Washington, D.C. Samuel Corum/Getty Images hide caption

U.S. park rangers look at the spot where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Security threats have prompted officials to shut down the National Mall and much of downtown Washington, D.C.

Updated at 5:12 p.m. ET

The National Mall, where millions of people have gathered to mark historic events in Washington, D.C., was closed to the public late Friday morning, as officials announced a string of security measures meant to foil any attempts to derail next week's inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The National Park Service began a "temporary public closure" of the National Mall late Friday morning, citing a request from the U.S. Secret Service. The agencies say they're worried that pro-Trump extremists are planning new violence, building on last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

"The unprecedented nature of the recent civil unrest at the U.S. Capitol coupled with the real and substantial threat of violence and unlawful behavior poses an unprecedented public safety and security challenge," the National Park Service said on Friday.

With the National Mall closure, the public will be barred from entering an area some 2 miles in length from the Capitol complex to the Potomac River; officials say the Mall will be off-limits through "at least" Thursday the day after Biden is inaugurated.

Another attempt to block gatherings in the area comes from Facebook, which says it will stop users from creating new events close to the Capitol, White House or state capitols, and will remove existing ones that violate Facebook policies.

Many streets are also being closed off, including the Memorial Bridge that runs from the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. across the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Other bridges entering the city could also be closed, though the timing and details are not yet certain, officials said.

Two areas along Pennsylvania Avenue will remain accessible to a limited number of demonstrators, with up to 100 people allowed to gather in each zone.

"They will be met by U.S. Park Police, escorted through magnetometers and then taken to these areas so that they can exercise their First Amendment rights," said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

Federal officials, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and others gave new details about their security plans at a briefing Friday. They urged people to enjoy the inauguration from home and to follow it online rather than in person.

Once a security perimeter is fully in place, any vehicle that enters will have to do so through a checkpoint, where it will be "searched for explosives, weapons and other prohibited items," said Matt Miller, head of the Secret Service's Washington field office.

Discussing needs to secure the rest of Washington and other areas that could be targeted, Miller said, "we can't create a fortress and allow the rest of the city to suffer in services" from fire, emergency and police agencies.

"It's all hands on deck for our entire agency," said the Metropolitan Police Department's acting chief, Robert Contee. "Because our entire agency has responsibility for the entire city."

Bowser acknowledged that while she agrees that the security measures, including a new fence around the Capitol complex, are necessary and prudent, she isn't happy that large chunks of her city now look like militarized zones.

"I'm sad about it, I have to tell you, that it looks that way," she said. "I'm committed to making sure that we get our city back."

But there is a special responsibility, the mayor said, to ensure "a peaceful transition of power in our country."

The National Guard did not have a representative at the briefing. When asked what Guard members' rules of engagement will be, Miller of the Secret Service said the National Guard is "printing rules of engagement cards for each of its soldiers deployed on this exercise."

Miller added that he believes that Guard members will be following the same guidelines as the agencies they're working alongside, such as the U.S. Capitol Police.

See the article here:
'All Hands On Deck': National Mall Is Closed As Agencies Fortify D.C. - NPR