“The west side of the Capitol is known as arguably the best place to sledge in DC’s high-density urban environment. Annually, I get a provision included in the Credits Act of the Legislative Department that instructs the Capitol Police To allow sleds on Capitol grounds, ”Holmes Norton wrote.
Although the Capitol complex has been closed since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, tobogganing can be done safely by only allowing children and adults accompanied by children with sledges or other sled-like devices to use the Capitol grounds for sledding . “
Children across America have had an extraordinarily challenging year, and DC children in particular have endured not only the coronavirus pandemic but now the militarization of their city, with the hostile symbols of fences and barbed wire. Tobogganing is a simple childhood. is the least we can allow for our resilient children this winter season, ”said Holmes Norton in her statement.
Capitol Police said in a statement that they are looking forward to “welcoming sleders in the future,” but could not allow it at this point.
“Unfortunately, due to the current security position, COVID-19 restrictions and the deconstruction of the inaugural platform, we are currently unable to allow sledges on the Capitol complex,” the statement said.