The “2 Million Bikers to D.C.” rally, which likely will be closer to two thousand, will bring a deputation of bikers into Washington today who plan to pay their respects to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Originally denied a permit, D.C. police have now granted permission for the biker’s ride, reports UPI on Sept. 11.
Social media was abuzz with outrage that these patriotic riders were denied a permit. The 2 Million Bikers to D.C. requested permission to have a police escort, with no-stop authority granted at red lights and intersections.
Police have now said the ride is permissible, though the bikers will not have the benefit of an escort and are expected to follow all traffic controls.
The Washington National Park Service and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department both refused to grant permits, saying the influx of bikers would be too disruptive to traffic on a work day, and that such permits are generally granted for weekend biker rallies.
The biker’s ride is a counter protest to the “Million Muslim March,” a protest group organized by the American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC). The group was granted a permit to hold their demonstration at the National Mall.
“AMPAC, a fringe group led by Rabbi Alam, a known 9/11 truther who has espoused anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about the New York attacks, said in a statement that the event was designed to reveal the ‘truth’ about 9/11 and highlight the ‘media propaganda’ that has made the word terrorist ‘synonymous with Muslim,’” reports the Huffington Post.
Initially announced earlier this year, the Million Muslim March sparked anger over the chosen date of September 11. Subsequently renamed the “Million American March Against Fear,” the protest has lost some traction.