If you're planning to be in the vicinity of City Hall this Saturday, take note: significant road closures and parking restrictions are in effect due to the "No Kings 2.0" march and rally. Organized by Indivisible Philadelphia, the event promises to draw a sizable crowd, coming together to make their voices heard from 12:30 p.m. until late afternoon. According to details released by the City's announcement, the march will start at the north side of City Hall and make its way through key city arteries before culminating in a rally at Independence Mall.
Those intending to participate in the march should plan to assemble by 11 a.m. at 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard and North Broad Street, which will be closed to traffic starting at 11 a.m. The march route will lead demonstrators east on John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Juniper Street, then south to Market Street, and finally, east towards 6th Street. Considering the expected crowd size, the city may close adjacent streets to ensure public safety, with traffic delays anticipated throughout the course of the event. Motorists, seeking relief from the gridlock, are encouraged to use alternative routes and public transportation, including the Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line.
Specifically, the City has listed key street closures: John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Juniper Street to 15th Street and North Broad Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Arch Street will shut down from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for assembly; streets from Juniper Street to 5th Street along Market will follow, closing at noon until approximately 1:30 p.m., and; the rally will prompt closures around 500 Market Street from around 1:15 p.m. until about 3:30 p.m. Once the streets are cleared of participants and serviced, the closures will be lifted.
With the city bracing for the influx of people and the disruption that massive protests can bring, public transportation is advised as the best way to navigate the city. The restrictions are a signal of the city's preparation for an orderly and safe demonstration, heeding the lessons of past events. As for the demonstrators, they are preparing to make their stance known in an echo of their previous manifestation, with the hope that this sequel, "No Kings 2.0" is as powerful in message as its predecessor.
