The National Park Service has asked demonstrators in McPherson Square to take down a tarp draped over the park's center statue.
NPS said it did not have any plans to forcibly remove protesters on Tuesday.
However, the Park Service did request that demonstrators take down the large blue tarp dubbed the "Tent of Dreams" put up around noon on Monday, saying it defaces the statue of Maj. Gen. James McPherson, who fought in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Demonstrators told News4 they would convene a General Assembly to decide whether to comply.
Retired D.C. resident Rick Mangus, saying he's tired of the protesters defacing the park while Park Police do nothing about it, took scissors to the Tent of Dreams Tuesday afternoon.
"Since police and Park Service have been inept about doing anything about this, it's about time," Mangus said.
He cut about five cords before protesters confronted him and police intervened, escorting him from the scene. There's no word on whether charges will be filed against anyone in that incident.
Earlier Tuesday, a man tried to pull the tarp down, saying it prevents people from enjoying the statue, but he only managed to create a bigger hole through which poked Maj. Gen. McPherson's head. What appears to be a protester's mask covered the statue's face Tuesday evening.
