Howard University is preparing to host Harris on election night

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Howard University is preparing to host Harris on election night

Vice President Kamala Harris returns to Howard University on election night. Harris, who graduated from the university, plans to spend Tuesday night at her alma mater. With that comes increased security presence and security measures to help keep students and the vice president safe as they prepare for Tuesday’s event.

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris returns to Howard University on election night.

Harris, who graduated from the university, plans to spend Tuesday night with her alma mater. With that comes increased security presence and security measures to help keep students and the vice president safe as they prepare for Tuesday’s event.

The campus is changing as they prepare to host the VP and her running mate, Tim Walz.

The campaign confirmed last Thursday that they will be hosting their election night event there, and it’s been non-stop preparations ever since. Crews are working around the clock, placing these jersey barriers at the base of the 10-foot fence on Georgia Avenue.

The work can be seen throughout Howard University’s campus.

“This makes me feel a lot better because we’re an HBCU and we get so much hate,” freshman Sanaa Holston said.

‘The Yard’ is where Harris and Walz hold the watch party. It is a place where students spend time hanging out, studying or enjoying a meal.

“It’s really magical to see what they’ve done with it,” junior Jamal Richardson said. “It’s exciting to see this be changed into this be changed into this giant spectacle with lights and stands and all the other things.”

READ MORE: Harris will host election night at Howard University, the campaign confirms

In a letter to the Howard community, University President Ben Vinson III says the Department of Public Safety is “working in partnership with local and national law enforcement agencies on safety measures for our students, faculty and staff and an unprecedented number of visitors to our community.”

“Just having the outside people here and just having the student protected by these gates in our housing facilities, I think that’s important,” Howard student Madeline Willocks told FOX 5.

In addition to the increased security measures on campus, nearby streets are blocked off and a number of parking restrictions are in place until Sunday 10 November. Neighbors and nearby businesses say they are not bothered by the disruption.

“I’m extremely excited about it. To be in the heat of it, that’s why I live in DC,” said neighbor Sally Pearson.

Students who will be on campus on Tuesday tell FOX 5 they are looking forward to this historic event.

“If something happens regardless of the outcome, I just want there to be peace on this campus,” Richardson said.

In-person classes have been canceled for the week, meaning a number of buildings are closed, but students still have access to their dormitories.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BEN VINSON III BELOW:

Dear Howard University Community,

We are on the threshold of a defining moment in our nation’s history, a moment rooted in Howard’s history because of our alumna, presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her journey through Howard leads to a full-circle moment with her return to campus on election night.

We are honored that the University has been selected by the Harris-Walz Campaign for Tuesday’s historic event. As we continue preparations, I want to thank our faculty, staff and students for your resilience, patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

However, we recognize the potential inconvenience to our campus community and disruption of regularly scheduled classes and campus activities. The administrative leadership team recognizes that amid the excitement of this moment, deep concerns exist about security stemming from the nature of this highly charged election season, and access to campus and support services.

After careful consideration and assurances of attention to security and campus logistics, we decided that honoring the Harris-Walz campaign’s request was the right choice at this historic moment. I assure you that the safety and security of our community is of the utmost importance to our administration and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), as well as the Harris-Walz campaign.

DPS is working in partnership with local and national law enforcement agencies on safety measures for our students, faculty and staff and an unprecedented number of visitors to our community. These measures require us to change our schedules and restrict access to the Yard and associated buildings. We also ask you to add your vigilance to ours. If you see something, say something.

The University Counseling Service and the Office of the Dean of Chapels are available to provide support to those experiencing anxiety or needing spiritual uplift during this time. The Office of the Provost, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Division of Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services and other administrative offices work to ensure that you have access to all services, support and information needed throughout the duration of the event. Above all, you are our top priority.

As this election season draws to a close, one commonality applies to all of us regardless of our political affiliation: We are Bison, connected by heritage and the long line of leaders that stand as a testament to Howard’s commitment to our core values ​​of excellence, leadership, truth and service. I look forward to joining you as we welcome a daughter of Howard home to Mecca and invite the world to see once again what it really means to be a bison!

Committed to truth and service,

Ben Vinson III, Ph.D.
Chairman

DETAILED PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FROM DC POLICE BELOW:

From Sunday 3 November 2024 at 06.00 until Sunday 10 November 2024 at 06.00 the following streets will be designated as emergency zones without parking. These restrictions may end earlier if the US Secret Service no longer requires the security measures by November 10.

  • Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
  • 300 block of College Street, NW
  • Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
  • W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
  • W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
  • V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • 9th Street from Euclid Street to U Street, NW
  • 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
  • Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
  • 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
  • 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW

Roadblocks

From Monday 4 November 2024 at 19.00 the following streets will be closed to all traffic. The duration of these closures will be based on the security requirements established by the United States Secret Service in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department. Motorists and the public should expect a longer period of street closures.

  • Gresham Place from 5th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW
  • 300 block of College Street, NW
  • Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
  • W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
  • W Street from Georgia Avenue to 2nd Street, NW
  • V Street from Florida Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW
  • 9th Street from Euclid Avenue to U Street, NW
  • 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW
  • Georgia Avenue from Harvard Street to V Street, NW
  • 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW
  • 5th Street from V Street to W Street, NW
  • 5th Street from Gresham Place, NW to McMillan Drive, NW
  • 4th Street from V Street to McMillan Drive, NW

Restrictions only local traffic

Many roads in the immediate area During the road closures of the streets above, the following streets will be restricted to “local traffic only” from Monday 4 November 2024 at 19:00. enter the area upon request.

  • Gresham Place from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
  • Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
  • Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue, NW
  • W Street from Florida Avenue to 9th Street, NW
  • V Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW
  • 8th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • Georgia Avenue from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW (hospital access)
  • 5th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • 4th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • 3rd Street from Elm Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • 2nd Street from Bryant Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • Adams Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
  • W Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
  • Elm Street from 5th Street to 2nd Street, NW
  • V Street from 4th Street to First Street, NW
  • U Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
  • U Street from 3rd Street to Florida Avenue, NW
  • Thomas Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW
  • T Street from Florida Avenue to First Street, NW

Public transport detours and closures

Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess services will also be affected in the area surrounding the Howard University campus. Customers using stations or bus routes in this area should allow additional travel time to account for detours and delays.
Metrobus
The following Metrobus routes will be detoured from Monday 4 November 2024 at 19:00:

  • Detour routes:70, 79

Additional signage will be erected at all bus stops within the safety zone to alert customers of detours and nearby alternatives.
There may be further unforeseen impacts on Metrobus service. Customers on these routes and routes in the surrounding area should allow additional travel time to account for detours and delays. As a result of the road closures, Metro’s real-time service information through BusETA and Metro’s Trip Planner may not accurately reflect the detoured service.

Metro rail

There are no planned impacts to the Metrorail service in the area.

MetroAccess

Customers are advised that door-to-door service will not be available within the security area and delays are possible due to road closures in the area. Efforts will be made to provide delivery service as close as possible if traveling to/from a location in the cordoned off area. MetroAccess will operate normal service outside of the Howard University campus area and is notifying customers of the potential impacts.

Capital Bikeshare

The following Capital Bikeshare locations will be disabled from the evening of November 4:

  • 4th Street and College Street, NW
  • Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street, NW

Additionally, during the security closures, the area around the Howard University campus will be a No Ride Zone for Capital Bikeshare bicycles.