Local

Morehouse Area Will Be Locked Down for President Obama’s Visit Sunday

May 17th, 2013

President Obama will address the graduates of Morehouse College on Sunday. Graduation starts at 11:00 a.m. Morehouse officials caution that, if you do not have a ticket, you will not be allowed into the ceremony.

If you do have a ticket, you need to arrive between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in order to get through security. Morehouse officials say they will not let you in if you are late, and you should expect airport-like security protocols.

Dave Wilkinson, currently CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation, spent nine years of his Secret Service career on Presidential detail. Wilkinson says the tight security is par for the course.

“The Secret Service will, basically, mandate that anything that could possibly be used as a weapon will not be allowed into the event,” says Wilkinson. “So clearly anything like a pocket knife or anything would not be allowed.”

Wilkinson says you should forego any plans to bring a big banner to give your graduate a shout-out. If the banner is on a stick, you probably will not be allowed to keep it. And even though rain is in Sunday’s forecast, and graduation is outside, Morehouse says you will not be allowed to bring an umbrella.

Whether the President flies into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or Dobbins Air Force Base, there will be tight security all along the route. According to Wilkinson, “They will close the roadways down, but they’ll do it at the absolute last moment, and they’ll open ‘em back up as soon as they possibly can.”

Also for security reasons, the White House will wait as long as it can to announce the route of the Presidential motorcade.An audio version of this story

The following points were issued by Morehouse College has issued the following guide for its commencement on Sunday, May 19th:

This is a ticketed event for invited guests only.
There will be heavy security in the area, so if you don’t have to travel this way and are not going to commencement, avoid the Atlanta University Center.
Parking will be available for ticketed guests only and is first come, first served. Lots will open at 5am, and guests must show their tickets to enter.
Parking in the Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine lots is likely to fill quickly. Take MARTA if you have a ticket and don’t want the traffic headache.
Be mindful that Atlanta Student Movement Blvd (formerly Fair Street) will be closed between Mildred and Lowery to thru traffic. Detours will be employed in the area.
All guests will go through airport-like security and should leave large bags, pointy objects and food and beverages behind.
Commencement begins at 11 a.m., but guests must go through security between 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. NO LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE PERMITTED.
Traffic is going to be a nightmare. Arrive as early as possible.
Commencement will take place on the Century Campus rain or shine. Ticketed guests should dress appropriately and know that this is an outdoor venue. No umbrellas will be allowed.

Link to map of Morehouse College campus (PDF)

Link to Morehouse College 2013 commencement program (PDF)