The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum on the Mall was abruptly closed Saturday afternoon after a “large group of protesters†tried to push past security guards and enter the museum, Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas said. On Sunday, they were demonstrating at the museum against the U.S. military’s use of drones in overseas wars, witnesses said.
As many as 200 people tried to enter the museum through doors facing the National Mall, St. Thomas said, while others gathered at the museum’s Independence Avenue entrance. The demonstrators carried large signs and other items not allowed inside the museum, St. Thomas said. When a security guard told them they could not enter, demonstrators pushed the guard outside and up against a wall, St. Thomas said. Another guard approached and pepper-sprayed one protester before D.C. police and U.S. Park Police were called, she said. One person was arrested, St. Thomas said.
Washington PostTell me again why you would want to risk damage to a priceless set of artifacts that represent some of the best accomplishments of our nation?????(feel free to delete or move if I did not do this right)