Capitol Police confirm no sledding at Capitol Complex after Congresswoman's plea

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — The U.S. Capitol Complex will not be open for sledding this year, Capitol Police say, despite a DC Congresswoman's call for a reprieve during "an extremely challenging year."

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the statement Saturday night asking for authorities to allow sledding, saying, "While the Capitol complex has been closed since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, sledding can be done safely by allowing only children and adults accompanied by children with sleds or other sled-like devices to use the Capitol grounds for sledding."

RELATED | Winter Storm Warning has now been extended to include the D.C. Metro on Sunday

U.S. Capitol Police issued the following statement to ABC7:

Unfortunately, due to the current security posture, COVID-19 restrictions, and the deconstruction of the Inaugural platform, we cannot permit sledding on the Capitol Complex at this time. We, however, look forward to welcoming sledders back in the future.

Norton said both the pandemic and the "militarization" of D.C. following the Jan. 6 riots have put children under significant amounts of stress.

“Children across America have endured an extremely challenging year," Norton has said in her statement, adding, "Sledding is a simple, childhood thrill. It is the least we can allow for our resilient children this winter season.”

Norton's full statement can be read below:

“The west side of the Capitol is well known as perhaps the best place for sledding in D.C.’s high-density urban environment. Annually, I get a provision included in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill directing the Capitol Police to allow sledding on Capitol grounds. While the Capitol complex has been closed since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, sledding can be done safely by allowing only children and adults accompanied by children with sleds or other sled-like devices to use the Capitol grounds for sledding.

This could be the only snowstorm D.C. gets this winter, and may be one of the best for sledding in years. Children and their parents should be able to enjoy sledding on one of the best hills in the city.

Children across America have endured an extremely challenging year, and D.C. children in particular have not only endured the coronavirus pandemic but now the militarization of their city, with the hostile symbols of fences and barbed wire. Sledding is a simple, childhood thrill. It is the least we can allow for our resilient children this winter season.”

The storm is expected to move through the area starting Sunday, resulting in heavy snowfall and wintry weather through Tuesday. It will be the most significant snowfall in the area since February 2019.