A protester who camped on top of Washington’s Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge for five days came down Wednesday morning, ending his stand against the use of artificial intelligence and the war in Iran, according to the Associated Press. Guido Reichstadter, a Florida-based activist, was seen coming down from one of the bridge’s arches where he had pitched a tent and stayed since May 1.
Reichstadter’s presence on the bridge periodically led to traffic disruptions, as Washington police closed lanes and negotiated with him, the AP reported. His ability to remain on the bridge above traffic also shaped the rhythm of law enforcement activity during the protest, with officers adjusting closures as talks continued.
The stand was fueled by Reichstadter’s public statements ahead of his descent. The AP reported that his X account showed photos from atop one of the arches and that he announced on the site Tuesday that he would be coming down and expected to be arrested.
In Wednesday’s reporting, AP noted that Reichstadter’s action ended the high-altitude demonstration that had drawn repeated attention from motorists and police during the five-day period. The AP added that Washington police charged Reichstadter with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, unlawful entry, and failure to obey an officer.
The case also included a history of similar protests at the same location. The AP reported that Reichstadter staged a similar protest atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in 2022, this time against a Supreme Court decision.