Barnaby Woods latest DC Neighborhood to raise complaints about political protester noise in their community

WASHINGTON — There are new complaints about loud political protests in residential neighborhoods that neighbors say are turning their community’s upside down. 

The neighbors say those protests go far beyond free speech and border on harassment.

In the typically quiet Barnaby Woods neighborhood in Northwest, pro-Palestinian protesters bang drums and chant loudly in opposition of the U.S. government’s support of Israel in the Gaza conflict.

The loud rallies come first thing in the morning and late at night outside of the home of State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Neighbors awakened to the chats of “Killer Miller. Baby Killer.”

Miller does not control U.S. policy on Gaza.

ANC commissioner Lisa Gore said the sound can be heard a mile away.

“I've talked to senior residents that literally have ear plugs at their door,” Gore said. “I’ve talked to other neighbors when, you know, these protests are happening, that they sneak their kids out the back door to avoid the sound. You know, residents are walking different ways to avoid the protest noise and sometimes a conflict that occurs with protesters.

Earlier this month, WUSA9 reported on rising tensions in DC’s Kalorama neighborhood, where neighbors say they are under siege from early morning megaphone fueled protests outside the Chinese ambassador’s residence with noise levels often exceeding 100 decibels.

Right now, protests in residential areas are allowed between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at any sound level.

And ironically, Miller’s employer, the State Department, has resisted calls to intervene in the protests in both neighborhoods, saying the protests are protected as free speech.

But DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto says enough is enough. She’s introduced emergency legislation to amend DC’s “Residential Tranquility Act” to prohibit demonstrators from targeting a home using amplified sound devices like a megaphone ─ in a residential area.

DC Council is set to vote Tuesday. The legislation has the full support of ANC leaders in Kalorama, Barnaby Woods and elsewhere. Gore said she’s spoken with at least one of the protesters in Barnaby Woods about their tactics.

“They feel they touch the neighborhood,” she said. “They want the neighbors to understand the issues as well.”

“I've definitely heard neighbors say they wish they would go to the State Department, you know, where they actually make the policy.”

But in a statement, ACLU-D.C. Policy Advocacy Director Scarlett Aldebot wrote councilmembers should not pass Pinto’s emergency legislation, and instead, put the issue through the traditional legislative process.

"Any bill that seeks to restrict people’s First Amendment activities should not be rushed behind closed doors, especially just a week before the general election. If Councilmember Pinto wants to put limits on demonstrations, her bill should have the benefit of a full public discussion. The ‘Residential Tranquility Emergency Amendment Act of 2024’ should go through the ordinary legislative process so District residents can consider what the bill proposes. For example, this bill may include a provision that limits sound amplification during regular hours of the day, which could pose a significant restriction on demonstration rights in the District. We urge councilmembers to adhere to democratic principles of debate and transparency and to not rush to pass emergency legislation that can affect one of our most fundamental rights.”