Security Perimeters Conquering Public Spaces in the Nation's Capital

"Under no circumstances should the Secret Service be allowed to encroach further on the public space of Washington," begins a recent column by architecture Critic Philip Kennicott, published in the Chicago Tribune.

"Ill-considered, unnecessary and undemocratic security measures already have stolen from the American people the West Terrace of the Capitol, the front doors of the Supreme Court and the free flow of traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue at Lafayette Square. Now there are reports that the Secret Service is considering new security measures around the White House, including bag searches in nearby blocks."

Kennicott describes the advance of security perimeters into the capital's public spaces as an undemocratic encroachment on civil liberties—one that has already reclaimed public space at the White House and also the Capitol and the Supreme Court.