Buddhist monks participating in the “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., are scheduled to pass through Alexandria on Monday, February 9. The Alexandria Police Department will implement rolling road closures along the route to ensure safety for both participants and spectators. Motorists are advised that traffic along the route will be affected and should consider alternate travel plans.
Spectators are reminded to follow all instructions from law enforcement officers and event coordinators. They should remain on sidewalks, stay out of roadways, observe quietly without following or approaching the monks, and maintain a respectful distance. Only the monks may initiate interaction with spectators.
The Walk for Peace is expected to enter Alexandria at around 9 a.m., though this timing could change depending on the group’s progress and well-being. The procession will move northbound along George Washington Parkway, where intermittent lane closures are anticipated. Rolling closures will begin at approximately 9 a.m. and continue until about 2 p.m., subject to adjustments based on the monks’ pace and any unscheduled stops.
Additional road closures will support a Peace Talk at Christ Church from about 6:15 a.m. until 2 p.m. Cameron Street between Washington Street and Alfred Street, as well as Columbus Street between King Street and Queen Street, will be closed during this period.
The planned route includes entering Alexandria at the city line near the 1200 block of S. Washington St., proceeding north through Old Town to Christ Church at Cameron St. & N. Washington St., then continuing north on N. Washington Street, west on Montgomery St., north on Route 1/N. Patrick St., and departing into Arlington County via Route 1.
A peace talk is scheduled at Christ Church (118 N. Washington St.) with remarks expected around noon; however, this time is flexible depending on rest needs or delays encountered by the group. Members of the public may gather outside Christ Church to hear messages of peace from the monks, with remarks anticipated to last up to an hour.
Vehicles parked within affected areas may not be able to move during event hours but will not be ticketed or towed if immobilized due to weather conditions.
Residents can find live updates and additional information about routes and impacts through police department social media platforms such as Facebook and X closer to the date of the walk.
Alexandria operates as an independent city providing services within its boundaries under a council-manager government system where City Council selects a manager for operations (https://www.alexandriava.gov). The city incorporates racial and social equity into its policies (https://www.alexandriava.gov) and maintains museums like the Alexandria Black History Museum that interpret local history (https://www.alexandriava.gov). Archaeological research in partnership with local agencies also contributes to preserving community heritage (https://www.alexandriava.gov).
