The streets of Washington will be protected by large metal barriers to let the tank pass during a military parade organized in June to celebrate the 250 years of US forces, on a date that also corresponds to Donald Trump’s birthday.
On June 14, the Republican president wanted to do things big.
While celebrating its 79th birthday, dozens of tanks will parade, including 28 Abrams M1A1, 28 Bradley combat vehicles, as well as 50 combat helicopters, detailed Steve Warren, an army spokesman on Wednesday.
Demonstrations scheduled for the same day
The total cost of the parade, with an “spectacular” fireworks, is estimated at $ 45 million. His goal is to “tell the army throughout history,” said the spokesman.
“It will begin with the War of Independence and then review the main conflicts … to end today,” he added.
The manifestations are planned on the same day against this parade, which some criticize strongly, denouncing a demonstration worthy of an authoritarian regime.
The mayor of the capital was concerned about the tank, believing that seeing them wandering through the streets of the capital “would not be good.” “If military assault tanks are used, millions of dollars should be received in parallel to repair the roads,” said Muriel Bowser.
The last important American military parade dates back to 1991
The army said that the metal plates will protect the streets and that would be responsible for potential damage.
At the end of the parade, army paratroopers will give Donald Trump, president and head of the Armed Forces, an American flag.
During his first term, the US president had greatly appreciated the show offered by the July 14 parade in Paris, to which his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had invited him in 2017.
The last important military parade in the United States was held in 1991 in Washington to celebrate the end of the Gulf War.
Source: BFM TV
