A major winter storm has taken over the country from Texas all the way up to New England, but the folks in Washington, D.C., are just trying to sled down the country’s most famous political slope.
Sledding on Capitol Hill has been illegal since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. In anticipation of today’s big weather event, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) sent a letter to the Capitol Police asking for the rules to be temporarily suspended, noting that the Capitol grounds offered some of the best hills in D.C. Her request, however, was denied.
But this time around, the people weren’t having it. Tim Krepp, a D.C. tour guide, asked his Twitter followers to protest the decision Thursday by starting a “Sled-In.”
“Despite efforts, the sled ban has not been waived for this weekend,” someone going by the nickname “Prince of Petworth” wrote on the D.C. blog Popville. “But if you are up for a little civil disobedience, a sled-in is planned for today at 1pm. West lawn of the Capitol. Come armed with sleds! #sleddingisnotacrime #SledFreeOrDie”
Ok people. 1 pm. Let’s do this, @SpeakerBoehner pic.twitter.com/DPv3dFMeF7
— ButTimKrepp (@timkrepp) March 5, 2015
People protest everything in this town, & today’s protest is against a ban of #sledding on the #Capitol lawn at 1. #SledFreeOrDie @wmalnews
— Heather Curtis (@HeatherMCurtis1) March 5, 2015
The call to arms was successful. Out of the snowy mists, people arrived, bundled up and armed with sleds. The hashtag #SledFreeOrDie quickly spread across Twitter, and for once political parties weren’t the biggest issue on Capitol Hill. These people were sledders, and they were there to do one thing and one thing only: have fun.
https://twitter.com/darth/status/573515718152445952
https://twitter.com/paulythegun/status/573541027547643906
The people who gathered for the Sled-In did what they did best: sledded and protested.
https://twitter.com/willsommer/status/573535297503432704
Fun in the snow on Capitol Hill. pic.twitter.com/WZwRPyoDWg
— Jared Halpern (@JaredHalpern) March 5, 2015
The sledding is underway at the U.S. Capitol lawn! @nbcwashington #SledFreeOrDie pic.twitter.com/qdR7NA1NC2
— J e n n y (@JennyVCushman) March 5, 2015
Lots of families (and reporters!) out enjoying sledding on the Capitol Hill! @capitalweather @WeatherNation pic.twitter.com/G47VRjt7fu
— Joseph Gruber (@JosephGruber) March 5, 2015
For some of the kids, who might have been getting their first taste of civil disobedience, it was probably also the first time they tried to go sledding with news cameras around them.
Reporters talk to kids sledding on Capitol Hill pic.twitter.com/5JJ7XrffPf
— Bridget Bowman (@bridgetbhc) March 5, 2015
For everyone else, it was a great opportunity to make history-related jokes. In defying the law as they did, the Sled-In participants became the coolest protesters since the Boston Tea Party.
Happening right now, the greatest protest since the Boston Tea Party RT @sharrowsDC: pic.twitter.com/WY27RcpB87”
— jlisle (@jlisle) March 5, 2015
#breaking Civil Disobedience on Capitol Hill as people sled at the Capitol in defiance of US Capitol Police orders. pic.twitter.com/6uqysMnltV
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 5, 2015
Sledding on Capitol bill, in defiance of USCP Regulation 16.5.20 governing “Winter Activities” at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/8cCsZ91E9h
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/TheFix/status/573543948494442496
Well done neighbors, well done! #sledfreeordie RT @Matt_D_Cohen: Everyone here is breaking the law! pic.twitter.com/Id0sFjHoBK
— Charles Allen (@charlesallen) March 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/djessrow/status/573557022068764672
At one point, the Capitol Police politely reminded citizens that it was illegal to sled on Capitol Hill, but these brave souls largely ignored the warning.
USCP Lt Eric Graves advises sledders of regs banning Capitol sledding. Is polite. Sledder tells officer regs r “silly” & continues sledding
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 5, 2015
Cap Hill resident Tim Krepp said Congress “embarrassed itself” about #DHS yet w/sledding at Capitol “they’re lecturing us about safety.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 5, 2015
Civil disobedience. #SledFreeOrDie #sleddingisnotacrime RT @MEPFuller: Current emoji of the Capitol Police: pic.twitter.com/HdnQs5TkB1
— JK 🇺🇦 Democracy (@jfk117) March 5, 2015
The police have yet to usher the sledders out, so for now, Sled-In protesters can claim victory and celebrate with the customary blankets and hot chocolate.
https://twitter.com/willsommer/status/573546179226632193
And then they sled. Declaring victory with @timkrepp. #SledFreeOrDie pic.twitter.com/8F5Ckty9Py
— Lyndsey Medsker (@lmedsker) March 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/DanRiffle/status/573563274022776832
Photo via Dan Essrow/Twitter
