What I Saw in DC During the Government Shutdown

By D.S. Tractor, BuzzVine Contributor Friday, October 04, 2013

I walked around Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown. This is what I saw.

As I expected, all the museums were closed.

Smithsonian Museum during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — Smithsonian Museum during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

But what about the monuments? After all, there are no gates and they are just out in the open.

Well, barricades were erected in front of the monuments. Here is the World War II Memorial.

World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

Apparently, earlier that day a bunch of WWII vets stormed the barricade to get inside. The memorial was not totally inaccessible, though. You could still walk around it and view the part that faced outward.

World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

There were still tourists around. Some of them were riding those scooter thingies.

World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

There was also this random barricade that people just walked around.

World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — World War II Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

This bathroom was locked. (Don't worry, the next photo will not be of me urinating in the reflecting pool, so you can keep scrolling down.)

Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 — Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 | (Photo: The Christian Post)

The Lincoln Memorial was also barricaded. Guards were posted there to make sure no one got past the barricades. Because of the government shutdown, they have to hire people to keep people from seeing the memorial because they cannot hire people to let people see the memorial ... uh? ... or something like that.

Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

The MLK Memorial was also barricaded.

MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

These people standing outside encouraged me to slip past the barricade and go see the memorial. They already did it, they told me, and not long before I arrived a group of about 50 did the same.

MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

So I slipped past the barricade and took this photo.

MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

A couple other rebellious folks were there with me.

MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. — MLK Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

This water fountain doesn't work. Because of the government shutdown?

water fountain — water fountain | (Photo: The Christian Post)

Oh wait, but this one works. Maybe it was just broken?

water fountain — water fountain | (Photo: The Christian Post)

There was also this random closed sign that you can just walk around.

Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 — Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 | (Photo: The Christian Post)

Weird.

Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 — Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown, Oct. 2, 2013 | (Photo: The Christian Post)

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