The World Pride gathering in Washington, D.C.’s well-known gay neighborhood of Dupont Circle was marred by violence Saturday evening. Two people were stabbed and one man was shot.
D.C.’s Democrat politicians had successfully fought the Trump administration to take down fencing at Dupont Circle National Park erected for safety reasons. The fencing was removed Saturday morning for the World Pride celebration.
Spotted! The fence is coming down at Dupont Circle for good this time! #HappyPride ️ pic.twitter.com/DzcGG1HVqd
— Washingtonian Problems (@WashProbs) June 7, 2025
Follower on insta sent me this.
The illegal homophobic fences at Dupont Circle are coming down! pic.twitter.com/405IYUqwRv— @DCHomos (@DCHomos) June 7, 2025
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement Saturday announcing the fencing was coming down, vowing “Great news, DC! Dupont Circle is reopening today for WorldPride 2025.We thank the National Park Service for their partnership, and below is our joint statement:”
Great news, DC! Dupont Circle is reopening today for WorldPride 2025.
We thank the National Park Service for their partnership, and below is our joint statement: pic.twitter.com/dKkphpCP9w
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 7, 2025
Video posted by WJLA-TV, “DUPONT CIRCLE SHOOTING Crowds ran towards shelter when they heard gunshots near Dupont Circle following the WorldPride celebrations. Officers quickly responded to the scene and are searching for suspects.”
DUPONT CIRCLE SHOOTING Crowds ran towards shelter when they heard gunshots near Dupont Circle following the WorldPride celebrations. Officers quickly responded to the scene and are searching for suspects. pic.twitter.com/32mDMyaxM8
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) June 8, 2025
Photos of the scene from the earlier stabbing posted by WUSA-TV reporter Spencer Allan Brooks:
Breaking: stabbing at Dupont Circle, which was reopened this morning. Two people stabbed.
Police are now clearing the park. https://t.co/6yxwuZVPTP pic.twitter.com/7woSN1GONG— Spencer Allan Brooks (@SpencerSays) June 7, 2025
On Friday, “infuriated” D.C. City Councilmember Zachary Parker blasted the National Park Service for closing the park, “I am infuriated by the National Park Service proceeding with closing Dupont Circle Park ahead of this weekend’s WorldPride celebrations. See my full statement”
I am infuriated by the National Park Service proceeding with closing Dupont Circle Park ahead of this weekend’s WorldPride celebrations. See my full statement pic.twitter.com/I9RgxkQiwF
— Councilmember Zachary Parker (@CMZParker5) June 6, 2025
Saturday morning Parker claimed victory, “I’ve received confirmation that the gates at Dupont Circle Park are coming down. This is a win for all of us—especially for the LGBTQ+ community—and a powerful reminder of what speaking truth to power can accomplish. Happy Pride, everybody!”
I’ve received confirmation that the gates at Dupont Circle Park are coming down. This is a win for all of us—especially for the LGBTQ+ community—and a powerful reminder of what speaking truth to power can accomplish.
Happy Pride, everybody!
— Councilmember Zachary Parker (@CMZParker5) June 7, 2025
WTOP reported Friday on the National Park Service decision to close Dupont Circle for safety reasons during the World Pride celebration (excerpt):
Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Park, said the closure will run until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The closure, which went into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday, came at the request of the U.S. Park Police.
“In USPP’s professional opinion this closure is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park,” Griess said in the filing.
“The USPP has concluded that this temporary closure is necessary to ‘secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences.’”
The superintendent further said the momentary closure “will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic or cultural values and is not of a highly controversial nature, as evidenced by the lack of any requests to utilize the area to be closed.”
…Park Police submitted its closure request on Wednesday, one day after D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith had rescinded her initial April 22 call for the park to be fully closed and cordoned off with anti-scale fencing through Monday.
Smith pulled her request after backlash from community members and politicians, including Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto.
WUSA-TV reporter Melissa Kim posted video of D.C. police chief Pamela Smith making her way through crime scene tape at Dupont Circle after she overrode safety concerns:
MPD Chief Pamela Smith has arrived here at DuPont Circle after two men were stabbed and another man was reportedly injured in a shooting this evening.@wusa9 pic.twitter.com/3RP5y9wtxy
— Melissa Y. Kim (@melissaykim) June 8, 2025
Video report by WRC-TV from earlier in the week:
The post ‘World Pride’ Celebration at DC’s Dupont Circle Marred by Shooting and Stabbings After Safety Concerns Overridden to Open Park appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.