Buddhist monks who have walked from Texas toward D.C. for more than 100 days with a message of peace have reached Northern Virginia.
The monks are set to make a stop at Christ Church Alexandria in Old Town on Monday at noon. Crowds lined the streets of Old Town on Monday morning for a chance to see the monks.
The map of the monks’ route shows they will walk along George Washington Memorial Parkway and Richmond Highway (Route 1). Police in Alexandria and Arlington have warned of road closures. (See below for detailed info.)
Along the monks’ path, emotional crowds have met them with flowers and signs.
Monks who have walked toward D.C. for more than 100 days with a message of peace passed through Spotsylvania County, Virginia. “I came to get a blessing,” one member of the crowd said. Others were in tears as they spoke about the importance of the monks’ message. News4’s Drew Wilder reports.
“I came to get a blessing,” a member of the crowd that met them last week in Spotsylvania County told News4. Others were in tears as they spoke about the importance of the monks’ message.
What to know about road closures as the monks make their way to DC
Rolling road closures are expected in Alexandria until about 2 p.m. Monday and in Arlington on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
Alexandria: Police said to expect rolling closures on:
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Cameron Street between Washington Street and Alfred Street
Columbus Street between King Street and Queen Street
Police said: “Members of the public are welcome to gather outside Christ Church to listen to the monks’ message of peace. Remarks are expected to last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. No additional public events are planned to follow the conclusion of the remarks.”
From there, the monks are expected to head:
“North on N. Washington Street from Christ Church
West on Montgomery St.
North on Route 1/N. Patrick St. To S. Glebe Rd.
Departing Alexandria, the group will continue into Arlington County via Route 1.”
If you’re parked in the affected area, you may not be able to move your car, police said. Go here for more info.
Arlington: The monks are expected to pass through Arlington starting early Monday afternoon and into Tuesday. “Official time is dependent on their progress and well-being,” police said. They shared this info on their route:
“Depart Alexandria and enter Arlington County along Route 1
Right onto Crystal Drive
Crystal Drive becomes 12th Street S.
Right onto Army Navy Drive
Right onto S. Joyce Street
Left onto Columbia Pike
Right onto Washington Boulevard
Right onto N. Glebe Road
End at Marymount University – Upon arrival, there will be short welcoming remarks from Marymount University President Irma Becerra, followed by brief remarks from the monks. Members of the general public may stand in front of the Administration Building (Rixey Mansion) to watch and listen to the short welcome. The remarks are expected to last approximately 5–10 minutes. After the remarks conclude, no additional public events are planned.
For the safety of spectators, we ask that you do not line the route on Monday at the following locations:
S. Joyce Street from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike
Columbia Pike from S. Joyce Street to Washington Boulevard
Washington Boulevard from Columbia Pike to N. Pershing Drive
Tuesday, February 10 – Expected to begin at 7 a.m.
Depart Marymount University – No public event scheduled at Marymount University
Right onto N. Glebe Road
Right onto Chain Bridge Road
Exit Arlington County
For the safety of spectators, we ask that you do not line the route on Tuesday at the following location: N. Glebe Road from N. River Street to Chain Bridge Road.”
The monks are expected to arrive in D.C. on Tuesday.
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