Donna Chapman, another out-of-town visitor, said she felt like she was exercising her First Amendment right just by visiting the memorial.

“I don’t think they should have gates up at all. It’s open air,” she said. “It’s ridiculous.”

But the service had to relent Tuesday after it allowed a major pro-immigration rally on the otherwise closed Mall, drawing rebukes from rally participants and from others who said the administration shouldn’t be able to choose who is and who is not allowed to exercise rights.

Michael Litterst, a National Park Service spokesman, said the First Amendment exception applies only to several Washington and Philadelphia parks related to the government and its history, “due to these parks’ long history of hosting First Amendment events, their expansive outdoor grounds, and their location in major metropolitan areas.”

“You could not host a First Amendment rally at Chaco Culture, Grand Canyon, Manassas or any one of the 395 other parks where such activities are prohibited during the shutdown. They can be held only at the National Mall and Memorial Parks, the areas of the White House administered by the NPS, and Independence National Historical Park,” he said.