Join Us

What: Three Day Vigil and Rallies to Say “86 the Arch”

When: Sunday, May 24 at 9:00 am through Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00 pm  

Where: Memorial Circle, Washington, DC

Third Act DMV is holding an “86 the Arch” vigil from Sunday, May 24 at 9:00 am until Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00 pm. The three-day vigil and rallies will be held over Memorial Day, the most solemn day of the year at Arlington National Cemetery. We will use the significance of the day to protest the massive “Triumphal Arch”, planned by Trump to be the “biggest one” in the world, to honor “me.” We believe that this Arch violates the basic dignity of those who fell when protecting our country and is disdainful to all of us who support / believe in our democracy.

Over three days, we will maintain a round-the-clock presence at Memorial Circle, complete with a mock-up of the gilded arch and plenty of banners and signs to protest the egotistical and outrageous structure which, if built, will overwhelm everything else in sight with its blatant disregard of history and disrespect for the sacred gravity of Arlington Cemetery.

At 250 feet tall, the arch would drastically alter the landscape. It will be more than twice the height of the 99 ft tall Lincoln Memorial. It will dwarf everything in its proximity and overshadow Arlington House and Arlington Cemetery. Memorial Bridge is itself a memorial of symbolic significance. Dedicated in 1932, the bridge physically links the North with the South and represents national reconciliation after the Civil War. The historically significant sightline that presently exists between the memorial to Lincoln and the home of Robert E Lee will be destroyed by Trump’s arch. It will dominate the skyline, upstaging much of the U.S. capital’s most iconic architecture.

A group called Vets Against the Arch has filed a lawsuit against the administration to block the proposed structure. “The thought of being buried in the shadow of what they have described as a vainglorious arch is profoundly disrespectful to them and to the service of their fallen comrades,” said a representative of the veterans.

We invite veterans and all who are outraged by the evisceration of the sanctity of this iconic, historical physical and visual space. Join our vigil to proclaim and insist: “86 the Arch.”

There are many opportunities to join us:

Please also fill out a form: https://forms.gle/g1tYkUvbD6zZe74o6 to let us know which events or times you would like to attend.

• Sunday, May 24 at 7 pm: We will host a special light projection about the Arch.

• Monday, May 25 at 1 pm: Join us for a picnic and rally! Bring a blanket, bring some food, and hang out with us. We will provide music and some guest speakers. We will also have some shade awnings.

• Tuesday, May 26 from 4 pm till 6 pm: Join us for a rush-hour Arch rally, when we will greet motorists with chants and banners.    

• Anytime during the Vigil: Select one or more times to simply join us at the vigil and hang out.

**If you have a group that would like to partner with us, you can indicate that on the Google form as well.