UFC Event Construction at Lincoln Memorial Draws Complaints From Visitors
Construction crews are setting up equipment at the Lincoln Memorial for a UFC press conference scheduled for Friday as part of a weekend celebration of America's 250th anniversary and President Trump's birthday. The temporary fencing, stage lights, and monitors are obstructing views of the Reflecting Pool and National Mall, prompting complaints from tourists and visitors. The disruption highlights tensions between hosting major events at historic national monuments and preserving the visitor experience.
The National Park Service is hosting construction for a UFC Freedom 250 press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, with crews installing temporary fencing, stage lights, large monitors, and other equipment. Multiple visitors expressed frustration with the obstruction of views, including Trudy Rumbaugh from Vermont who called it "awful" and said it "detracts from the beauty of the monuments." The construction noise from sound system testing also drew complaints from visitors like Sherry Corsiglia, whose husband is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The press conference on Friday will kick off a weekend of events celebrating both America's 250th anniversary and President Trump's birthday, with a UFC cage match scheduled for Sunday on the White House lawn. A 600-ton steel arch decorated as the American flag has also been erected over the octagonal cage on the South Lawn. The Lincoln Memorial remains open to visitors despite the obstructions, and the public can watch events from the Lincoln Memorial and the Ellipse.
What's missing
The article does not specify the exact timeline for when construction equipment will be removed from the Lincoln Memorial, or provide official comment from the National Park Service regarding the disruption and its duration.
What different sources said
- The IndependentLeft
Construction for UFC stage has tourists fuming over blocked views at the Lincoln Memorial
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