Guido Reichstadter, a Florida-based activist, came down Wednesday morning from atop one of Washington’s bridges, ending a five-day stand against artificial intelligence and the war in Iran, according to the Associated Press. Reichstadter had been camped since May 1 on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, where his position periodically disrupted traffic as authorities responded.
AP reported that Washington police closed lanes at times and negotiated with the protester during the stand. Reichstadter’s presence on the bridge drew recurring attention and, according to AP, resulted in traffic jams during the period of the protest.
Reichstadter’s X account showed photos from atop the arch where he had pitched a tent, and AP said he had posted that he would be coming down ahead of Wednesday. In the post, Reichstadter said, “I hope that this action has offered something to motivate and inspire you, and that it can serve as fuel for greater commitment and action in the cause of peace and in the fight for our future,” AP reported.
AP also said Reichstadter expected to be arrested when he came down. Following his descent, Washington police charged him with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, unlawful entry, and failure to obey an officer, AP reported.
The AP report added that Reichstadter previously staged a protest atop the same bridge in 2022 against a Supreme Court decision, indicating the episode was not his first time using the structure for a confrontation with authorities.