Security Vs. Citizens' Right To Public Spaces

The Capitol steps are closed to the general public for security reasons. Citizens, planners, and historians, oppose the barring of public access to an important national public space and the best view of the Mall.

1 minute read

January 31, 2002, 7:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"Frederick Law Olmsted, the great landscape architect...improved the view of the Capitol from the Mall,...improved the view of the Mall from the Capitol, and...strengthened the connection of the building to the rest of the city....'The Capitol steps' lodged in the American imagination as an instantly recognizable concept, an idealized national space...Planners and historians who place a high value on public access to the terrace and steps say officials ought to be looking for internal architectural solutions to the security issues."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

FULL STORY: Out of Step With Democracy

Wednesday, January 30, 2002 in The Washington Post

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