Bikers ride through D.C. to honor 9/11 victims
Look out, D.C. Your streets are going to be crowded on Wednesday.
To honor the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, thousands of motorcyclists are riding through the streets of the nation's capital.
The group, which calls itself the "2 Million Bikers to D.C.," had applied for a permit but was denied by the National Park Service and the Metro Police, according to WTOP.com.
The bikers decided to come to D.C. anyway, which is perfectly legal. Ted Gest, spokesperson for the D.C. attorney general's office, told U.S. News, "It's not a crime to parade" through the district without a permit.
Already, pictures are showing up on Twitter and Facebook.
'Two Million Bikers' 9/11 motorcycle rally held in DC despite not having permit Read more: http://t.co/M3SZHnC6yL ah pic.twitter.com/ILvayjUaZW
— myfoxmemphis (@myfoxmemphis) September 11, 2013
Two million motorcycle riders are on their way to Washington DC to protest the Muslim march on 9/11. #Merica ?????? pic.twitter.com/69CsH08SeM
— Lake Blasingame (@Lake_no_Water) September 9, 2013
American #Infidels motorcycle club in Washington DC for the #2MillionBikerstoDC 9/11 tribute rally. #2MBikers pic.twitter.com/JhObjEM4My
— Stephen Crowley (@Stcrow) September 11, 2013
With flags flying, bikers head down 3rd Street through the National Mall. pic.twitter.com/h9QZxCc3Xo
— mollenbeckWTOP (@mollenbeckWTOP) September 11, 2013
There is some speculation about the rally's motives. According to the Washington Times, the rally was originally intended as a response to the American Muslim Political Action Committee's Million Muslim March, also planned for Wednesday.
However, the 2 Million Bikers to D.C.'s Facebook page paints a different picture. There, the group insists the event is peaceful and is intended to respect for victims of 9/11 as well as those in the armed forces.
The bikers' Facebook page also writes this:
WE STAND AGAINST ANY "FUNDAMENTAL TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICA" BY THIS ADMINISTRATION OR ANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION!
The Million Muslim March's official site explains that its gathering is a march "against fear."
Via its official site:
We ask all individuals and organizations working for peace to attend this collective action to tell our Government leaders we want transparency and policies of peace.
According to the Washington Times, the few dozen participants in the Million Muslim March were outnumbered by a Christian group protesting the rally.