A prayer service planned for Friday could bring some protests and some traffic headaches to the Hill.
At least 10,000 people are expected to gather around the reflecting pool west of the Capitol for an Islamic vigil organized by New Jersey's Darul Islam Mosque. As of Thursday night, city transportation officials were not planning any definite road closures. But if there are too many people, the following streets may be closed off to traffic:
- Maryland Ave. SW between 1st and 3rd Streets
- Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 1st and 3rd Streets
- 1st St. between Constitution Ave. NW and Independence Ave. SW
Organizers bill the event as a way for Muslims to show their American patriotism. The Post reports some conservative Christian groups as calling the whole thing a threat to Christian values, which of course means the chants of a counter-protest may fill the air Friday afternoon. So stay alert around the Hill.
