Photo by Jonathan Ewing

The following post is from senior staff writer Gabrielle Bluestone, who is on scene at the Lincoln Memorial:

Concert goers will see twenty-five foot towers dotting the mall once they pass through security checkpoints. Four Hundred officers from the United States Park Police and additional manpower from the National Guard are in place to provide security, said Captain Horton of the Park Police.

Despite claims of heavy screening and security, the security checkpoint at 19th Street and Constitution Avenue was relatively relaxed. Though the public was instructed to open their coats, many walked through unexamined. All in all, about 2 in 3 were visually scrutinized by park police.