Business goes on despite extra security in capital city

By ALLISON GATLIN
Valley Press Staff Writer

With so many security measures already in place as a result of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, it can be difficult to see much difference in wartime.

According to residents, the police presence is more noticeable than just a few weeks ago, especially on the Metro subway system. Helicopters seem to buzz overhead more often than previously.

"You hear a lot of it, but it's nowhere near as disturbing for your personal safety as Sept. 11 was," resident Anne Courtney said.

As war reports abound, the city's citizens and visitors alike continue with their day-to-day business, crowding aboard the Metro for the commute, navigating security checkpoints and closed streets with practiced skill.

Popular attractions, such as the Smithsonian's many museums, require visitors to enter through a security checkpoint with a metal detector and X-ray machine for bags.

In the line outside the National Air and Space Museum, a woman was overheard explaining to her child that the wait to pass through security was a little bit of a nuisance, but that it was important to do it.

Despite the turbulent times, the city's many historic sites still play host to numerous school and tour groups. A weekday walk past the Capitol revealed several such groups gathered on the steps, while others could be seen streaming through the security checkpoint at the entrance to the Hart Senate Office Building.

A contingent of ninth-grade honors history students from Austin High School in Austin, Minn., made their annual visit to the city.

"I feel it's a lot safer than I expected," said Daniel Swatfager as he looked across Pennsylvania Avenue at the heavily guarded White House. "Cops are everywhere."

Classmate Mike Astrup admitted to being a little nervous about the trip. "I didn't know there would be snipers on the roof (of the White House)," he said.

The extra security measures had only a slight effect on the group's plans. They were unable to visit inside the Capitol or the White House. "Otherwise, we really haven't changed anything," said Andrea Malo, history teacher and chaperone.

Even in a drizzling spring rain, tourists flocked to the memorials and monuments of the National Mall on Saturday afternoon, while parks played host to various athletic events.

Just outside the Vietnam War Memorial, a few small stands sell military pins and patches, as well as bracelets with the names of prisoners of war and those missing in action. Those bracelets now include the names of soldiers taken prisoner in Iraq.

"Unfortunately, in the last few days we've gotten a few more," said Jerry Cunningham from inside his booth. "We wanted to bring them home from Vietnam; now we have more of them."

Cunningham said the crowds visiting the Vietnam memorial on the National Mall have been a little thinner than usual for this time of year, but those who have come have been "less touristy, more patriotic."

Intermittent protests have erupted around the city, primarily downtown in the vicinity of the White House and adjacent Lafayette Park. While some have disrupted rush hour traffic and resulted in numerous arrests, they have not reached the masses of thousands of marchers seen in other cities, such as San Francisco and New York.

On a Saturday afternoon in Lafayette Park, just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, a small group of those supporting the war collided verbally with those against the action.

With a much larger contingent of tourists and passers-by looking on and occasionally joining in, the two sides engaged in impassioned debate and outright arguing.

Although each side clearly held deeply felt views on the subject, the confrontation remained more or less civil. At one point, one of the increasing number of police in the vicinity stepped in to defuse a particularly heated exchange, but did not ask the group to disperse and stepped aside as the two parties quickly calmed down.

Three men in vocal support of the military action carried large American flags, while the half-dozen or so protesters carried signs with pronouncements such as "Jesus was a pacifist" and "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

The protesters also carried drums and chanted and sang, bringing in some of the onlookers during a chorus of "Give Peace a Chance."

The protesters and supporters were one more Washington attraction as many tourists took pictures of the demonstrators, some lining up to pose with them.