Government fires back against lawsuit to stop UFC Freedom 250 event at White House
The government came out swinging.
In response to a lawsuit seeking to stop the UFC’s event at the White House Sunday, June 14, attorneys representing the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior zeroed in on the two plaintiffs – Virginia residents Susan Douglas and Paul Romano.
The government’s opposition to the plaintiff’s motion seeking a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction to upend the MMA event set to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday cited an “inexcusable’’ delay.
It referred to a lawsuit filed June 6 in federal district court in Washington, D.C.
“These events were publicly announced almost a year ago; the dates were confirmed by the White House three months ago; and site preparations have been publicly visible for weeks,’’ stated the opposition that was due 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, June 9. “This alone suffices to deny emergency relief.’’
The defendants filed the memorandum in opposition to the plaintiffs’ emergency application for a temporary restraining order.
In the memorandum, the government says well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been expended during preparation for the event. More than 4,000 spectators – including more than 1,000 members of the armed forces – are expected to attend on the South Lawn of the White House, according to the memorandum. More than 120,000 visitors are expected to watch from the nearby Ellipse after winning free tickets in a lottery, according to the memorandum.
“Many of the event’s attendees will visit from outside the capital region, and have already invested personal resources in lodging, air transportation, and other arrangements,’’ the filing states, referring to the UFC Freedom 250 event that will featured seven fights. “Fourteen world-class athletes, who have been training for months, have traveled from all over the world to compete (including for two world championships).
“All these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, however, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else,’’ the memorandum states.
The opposition also takes issue with the aesthetic injuries the plaintiffs said they will suffer over the weekend that is expected to include weigh-ins and a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial and the fights outside the White House.
“And it is not as though these events are taking place outside on Plaintiffs’ doorstep,’’ the memorandum states. “No, they actually aver that they intend to seek out that which offends their sensibilities, just so they can complain about it.
“This contradicts the fundamental standing principle that injuries cannot be self-inflicted.’’
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government fires back against lawsuit to stop UFC event at White House
