Statement on Catharsis on the Mall

Date: October 26, 2017

On October 25, the National Park Service informed the organizers of “Catharsis on the Mall” that a permit would be issued for their event to take place November 10-12 on the northwest quadrant of the National Mall grounds, and approved the placement of more than 30 temporary structures in support of the event. 
 
However, the National Park Service found that some proposed structures would be inconsistent with established resource protection guidelines and the public’s use and enjoyment of the National Mall. These elements, including the “R-Evolution” statue and a memorial temple, were therefore not approved as part of the pending public gathering permit.
 
The request to locate R-Evolution on turf near the Washington Monument for 91 days and the temple for 119 days is significantly in excess of the five-day time restriction set forth in the National Mall Turf Management Guidelines and would likely cause significant damage to and require replacement of the underlying turf and soil. Additionally, the proposed nearly 48-foot height of the statue introduces a visual element that would diminish the property’s significant historic features by altering the setting and historic character of the National Mall landscape.