WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Park Service installed heavy steel security fencing around Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., on Friday morning, closing the area to the public. The closure occurred ahead of Capital Pride weekend.

The agency said the park's closure is to provide for public health and safety and to protect Dupont Circle Park's natural and cultural resources. The agency stated Dupont Circle will remain closed through Sunday at 6 p.m.

The annual Capital Pride parade is scheduled for Saturday, though its route no longer includes Dupont Circle. The Capital Pride Festival is planned for Sunday along Pennsylvania Avenue. Early Pride festivals were held at Dupont Circle along Connecticut Avenue northwest.

The agency previously fenced off Dupont Circle during Pride celebrations the year prior. Security barriers around the circle were removed the previous year after community pressure. The agency reopened Dupont Circle hours before the Pride parade that year, reversing its initial closure decision. Dupont Circle was closed again the previous year following a stabbing in the park.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jeff Rueckgauer said, "We've had Pride, you know, for 50 years and we never had to close Dupont Circle. We never had any major incidents. And you know, Pride is probably one of the best-behaved groups that you're gonna get."

D.C.'s shadow representative to Congress, Oye Owolewa, said, "This is a direct insult to our local queer community. For the second year in a row, they're closing down this park on the biggest day, Pride Parade. And we're seeing this White House attack people for being different, whether it's 'cause their race or even now their sexual identity and orientation, and we in D.C. need to stand up against it."