WASHINGTON — Christians from all over the country will gather on the National Mall this weekend for Together 2016. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the Saturday event, which includes popular Christian musicians and religious talks.
“We just really believe that it’s a great time to bring a message of hope and healing in our nation and really just for people of faith to come and pray,” said Nick Hall, the founder of PULSE, the ministry behind the event.
The big gathering comes after several high profile attacks around the U.S. and beyond. The most recent story of bloodshed is out of Nice, France, where an armed man drove a box truck through a crowd gathering for Bastille Day celebrations.
Hall said security is top of mind for many of the event’s organizers. Planners have been talking with area law enforcement agencies ahead of the event and Hall is confident it will be a fun and safe event.
“We’re not a nation that lets different things make us hide and run, but I think those are the times when we can be strongest together,” Hall said.
Hall also said he hopes to see a million attendees at this year’s event, which is free to the public. Some of the acts during the event will include Hillsong United, Crowder, Lecrae and Passion.
With temperatures expected in the 90s, people headed to the event should bring plenty of water and put on sunscreen. To get to the event, use of public transportation is encouraged.
Here are some expected street closures from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday:
- Constitution Avenue: from 19th Street to 14th Street
- 17th Street: from State Place to Independence Avenue
- 15th Street: from Pennsylvania Avenue to Maine Avenue
- Madison: From 14th Street to 15th Street
- Jefferson Drive: from 14th Street to 15th Street
- Raoul Wallenberg: from Maine Avenue to Independence Avenue
