Virginia and DC sue to halt Trump's proposed memorial arch
Three lawsuits now seek to stop construction of a 250-foot arch planned near the Potomac River in Washington.
Key facts
Story- Washington DC and Virginia filed suits in federal court on Saturday to stop the arch.
- The arch would stand 250 feet (76 metres) on grass near a bridge over the Potomac.
- A federal judge has asked both sides to agree on a schedule for a temporary restraining order.
What's new
The District of Columbia and the state of Virginia have sued in federal court to block a memorial arch proposed by US President Donald Trump. The two filed their suits on Saturday, 31 October, according to The Guardian. Three lawsuits now ask a court to halt possible work on the monument. The government has said building could start as early as next week, The Guardian reports. Al Jazeera says local governments fear the arch will disrupt traffic and damage historic views. NPR reports that Judge Tanya Chutkin has asked both sides to agree on a briefing schedule for a temporary restraining order by Saturday evening.
Why it matters
For readers in India, the case is a test of how far a government can go with a large public project without local approval. The arch would rise 250 feet, about 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty from base to torch, according to The Guardian. The court's decision could decide whether construction starts at all.
What others say
Al Jazeera describes the opposition as fierce and says it comes from local governments worried about traffic and historic views. The Guardian adds that the arch would stand on a patch of grass beside the bridge that links the city with Arlington National Cemetery.
What we don't know yet
It is not clear when the court will rule on the request to halt work. The sources do not say whether construction has formally begun or what legal grounds the lawsuits rely on in full.
Worth your time?
One tap helps idly bring you more of what matters.
Advertisement
